New Tech-voc High School to Benefit 500 Mandaue Students

A total of 530 high school students at the Subangdaku Technical Vocational (tech-voc) High School in Mandaue City, Cebu will soon be enjoying the benefits of a three-storey, 10-classroom school building and seven laboratories constructed by the Aboitiz Foundation, in partnership with the local government of Mandaue City and business units AboitizLand, Metaphil, and Visayan Electric Co., Inc.

Subangdaku Tech-Voc High School was among the schools that were badly hit by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Cebu last October 2013. Students had to take classes in makeshift buildings due to the heavy damage incurred by the school.

The Aboitiz Foundation vowed to help make education more accessible to high school graduates unable to afford college by developing tech-voc schools in the country in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd).

“We recognize the excellent role tech-voc high schools present in providing educational and livelihood opportunities for our students. We also believe that providing opportunities for quality education increases their chances of achieving a better future for themselves,” said Aboitiz Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sonny Carpio said during the school’s turnover last June 27.

The Aboitiz Group has long been supportive of the country’s public education system, believing education is where the Group can make the biggest impact. In 2015, nearly 60% of the Group’s corporate social responsibility initiatives or P232 million went to education as the Aboitiz Foundation ramped up its investments that delivered better learning environment to students in communities where Aboitiz operates.

Also last year, DepEd recognized the Aboitiz Group as a long-standing partner in the government’s bid to uplift the state of the country’s public education system, and as the Philippines’ biggest private contributor to public education.

“The Aboitiz Group commits to continue to build stronger links with its partners in pursuit of our shared cause to help the youth of today, they who hold the future of our country in their hands,” Carpio added.

PHOTO CAPTION:

SUBANGDAKU TECH-VOC HS TURNOVER. The Aboitiz Foundation turned over last June 27 to the Mandaue City government the newly-constructed Subangdaku Tech-Voc High School, which will benefit approximately 530 students this school year. Present were (from left) Anthony Noel, AboitizLand AVP for Engineering; Ernie Manatad, Barangay Subangdaku Captain; Jonas Cortes, Mandaue City Mayor; Sonny Carpio, Aboitiz Foundation EVP and COO; Zeny Novabos, Metaphil VP and Chief Information Officer; Paula Ruelan, CitySavings Reputation Management Head; Adeline Luarez, Mandaue City School Governance and Operations Division Chief; and Rene Petancio, Subangdaku Tech-Voc High School Principal.