Japanese firm turns over school building to Olango

CEBU, Philippines - Kanepackage Philippines Inc., a Japanese firm located at the Mactan Export Processing Zone in Lapu-Lapu City, turned over yesterday a one-story school building to barangay San Vicente, an island barangay in Olango, Lapu-Lapu City.

Turning over the school building were Kanepackage president Yoshikasu Kanesaka and vice president Selgo Yagi. The company's employees attended the turnover ceremony.

Councilor Eduardo Cuizon, chairman of the committee on education of the city council and representing Mayor Paz Radaza, was also present.

The family of barangay captain Cyrus Eyas donated the lot.

Last February 23, the company broke ground for the construction of the pre-school classroom.

The total cost for its construction reached P300,000.

At the groundbreaking were company officials, Mayor Radaza, and other city officials.

Councilor Cuizon yesterday expressed his gratitude to the officials of Kanepackage Philippines, Inc. for school building and school supplies.

Cuizon said Kanepackage's donation is a laudable act.

The donation is an added feature in the Kanepackage Philippines Inc.

Green Earth Program aims to plant five million mangrove trees in a span of five years in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the residents of Olango Island.

Highlighting yesterday's turnover was a reading session for the pupils of the school building.

Kanesaka, who hails from a humble family in Japan, donated the classroom building as a way of saying thank you to the residents of the barangay who have been active in helping their mangrove tree planting program.

"We decided to help in making this project possible because in this way we can help our little children achieve their dreams by learning and going to school at a very young age," Kanesaka said.

Moreover, the donation is going to help the Department of Education realize its plan to have more pre-schools in the country in line with this year's implementation of the K +12 program, which requires children aged 5 years old to enroll in a standardized kindergarten curriculum.