Mabolo Elementary School gets help from private sector

CEBU, Philippines - The Union Galvasteel Corporation promised to shoulder P30,000 worth of construction materials for the re-roofing of a building in Mabolo Elementary School during yesterday's launching of Brigada Eskwela.

Human Resource Officer for Visayas Aiza Marie S. Arbon said that they have been partnering with Mabolo Elementary School ever since Brigada Eskwela piloted last 2004. She also encouraged the students to study even harder as a consolation to the company's effort of responding to the needs of the school.

"We are very happy to be part of Mabolo Elementary School's project and rest assured that the company will continue to partner with the school," Arbon said.

 The company's sponsored projects include building comfort rooms, constructing the guidance counseling office and providing trash bins to the school.

Just this school year 2011-2012, the Union Galvasteel Corporation spent more or less P60,000 pesos for the sponsored projects.

During the launching of the Mabolo Elementary School Brigada Eskwela attended by 124 community workers and students, Union Galvasteel Corporation announced that by June, they will be turning over the amount of P30,000 for the reroofing of an old building in the school which will serve as an additional classroom in order to cater to the growing number of enrollees.

Mabolo Elementary School Principal Donald Crisologo extended his deepest appreciation to the Union Galvasteel Corporation.

"Ever since this whole Brigada Eskwela started, the Union Galvasteel Corporation has been one of the top three benefactors of the school together with the Mabolo Barangay officials and Aboitiz Foundation," Crisologo said.

Aside from the reroofing of a school building, this year's Brigada Eskwela will focus on the improvement of the water system, comfort rooms, and washing facilities for hygiene and sanitation.

"Actually, the Brigada Eskwela's main purpose is to improve our comfort rooms and washing facilities but we have some sponsors who wish to help in some other ways and so we can't turn them down. We accept every help they can offer," Crisologo said.

The Brigada Eskwela is a school-based activity which will start on May 21 and will run for a week.

As part of the Brigada Eskwela 2012, thirteen grade one teachers of Mabolo Elementary School will now be using lapels in their classroom discussions effective this school year 2012-2013.

Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. President Jon Ramon Aboitiz and Managing Trustee Sonny Carpio turned over the lapel microphones together with the library kits to Mabolo Elementary School officials led by Crisologo last April.

Mrs. Melissa Borbon, assistant principal of Mabolo Elementary School, said that the giving of lapels to grade one teachers is very beneficial since they deal with students who just started primary schooling and needs the teacher's attention the most.

"Maayo jud nga mag-lapel na ang mga grade one teachers kay base sa ako observation gikan Monday hangtud Friday magsige og singgit nang mga maestra pagka-Biyernes wa na jud sila'y tingog (It is very good for grade one teachers to use lapel microphones because based on my observation, they have to talk loud from Monday to Friday and by the time Friday comes, they are already hoarse,” Borbon said.

Borbon added that the use of lapels is also one way of helping teachers effectively discuss the lessons especially to students who pay less attention since they are seated at the back portion of the classroom. —(FREEMAN)