STAR's Damayan donates 2 new buildings to Tarlac public school

Manila, Philippines - STAR employee volunteers from Operation Damayan, The STAR Group of Companies’ social arm, flocked to San Miguel Elementary School in San Miguel, San Manuel, Tarlac last Friday to inaugurate two new school buildings worth P3 million donated through Operation Damayan’s Adopt-a-School program.

This year’s project with San Miguel Elementary School is Operation Damayan’s 10th Adopt-a-School project and the biggest to date, in line with The Philippine STAR’s 25th anniversary.

The inauguration was graced by STAR Group president and CEO Miguel G. Belmonte and his wife Milette, presidential sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and Pinky Aquino-Abellada, San Manuel Mayor Benjamin Tesoro and Vice Mayor Emmalyn Rillera, representatives of the Department of Education (DepEd), and San Miguel Elementary School principal Ramon Salvosa, together with the school’s teachers, parents and students.

Many of the Operation Damayan volunteers had been visiting the school since April to make preparations for the school’s opening this week. The day before the inauguration, the volunteers were hard at work preparing the classrooms and facilities and making last minute repairs for the following day’s festivities.

Previously a one-story building with only three classrooms, San Miguel Elementary School now has four new classrooms, a clinic and library furnished with books donated by STAR employees, and a faculty room.

Salvosa said that because of the new facilities, the school’s enrolment has more than tripled this year.

“Last year we had 43 students, now there are more than 200,” the principal said.

Because of the increase in enrollment, the school now offers up to Grade 5 and the grade levels that were previously taught in a combination class can be given separately this school year.

After a noon Mass, the inauguration ceremony commenced with speeches from Salvosa, Tesoro, and DepEd representatives, all of whom thanked The STAR for their generosity.

Students of the San Miguel Elementary School walk toward one of the two new buildings in their school donated by The Philippine STAR’s Operation Damayan. FERNAN NEBRES

The Aquino sisters both thanked Belmonte and The STAR for supporting education, one of the thrusts of President Aquino’s administration.

In his speech, Belmonte thanked the teachers of San Miguel Elementary School, saying that teaching is the most noble job.

He also gave advise to the students who attended the inauguration, urging them to study well, be obedient to their parents and teachers, be helpful in their own way, and to always pray.

Excited students who witnessed the inauguration were treated to breakfast cooked by the Operation Damayan volunteers, lunch from Jollibee, games and prizes, new school uniforms and bags and school supplies, all provided by The STAR.

Each year since 2002, Operation Damayan has chosen one school from different areas across the Philippines as part of its Adopt-a-School program.

Operation Damayan was started in 1989 by Betty Go-Belmonte, founding chair of The STAR Group of Companies. It is made up of and run by STAR employees from various departments, all on a voluntary basis.

Operation Damayan also serves the community through education programs, environment protection, medical assistance, and relief operations.