By Raymart Escopel
ILOILO City – As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), Sun Life Financial Asia and Sun Life Financial-Philippines, Foundation Inc. will build classrooms in areas devastated by the recent typhoon “Yolanda” [international name: Haiyan].
Initially, the company has listed Binon-an Elementary School, Jose P. Gonzalado Elementary School, and Tanao Elementary School, all located in Batad, Iloilo as three of its beneficiaries. They will build classrooms and basketball courts.
Aside from Iloilo, Cebu and Bohol, which were greatly affected by an earthquake last year, will also be given classrooms and basketball courts.
In Cebu, Tindog Elementary School, Curva Elementary School, and Malbago Elementary School are included in the initial list.
Meanwhile, in Bohol, Bungahan Elementary School, Pagnitoan National High School, and Maitum Elementary School are among the listed beneficiaries of the program.
A total of 120 classrooms and basketball courts will be built as Sun Life already pledged P80 million to finance the construction if the structures.
The classrooms to be constructed will follow strict building code standards in order to guarantee its quality.
The basketball courts, on the other hand, will be constructed so the students will have an area where they can assemble and hold various activities and programs.
In a press release, Sun Life of Canada President Dean Conor said the efforts is just one of the company’s ways in giving back to the community as part of its preparations for its 120th anniversary in the Philippines in 2015.
He added that Sun Life is eager to find ways to give back to the community as the Philippines has been very good to the company since the time they established it here in 1895.
“As a company that rallies sustainability, we wholeheartedly support programs that allow us to serve more generations,” Conor noted.
On their part, Children’s Hour Philippines Chair Emily Abrera said it is a rare honor for them to be a custodian of the funds like Sun Life has donated, especially after a big tragedy.
“It only shows that no matter how terrible things are, the sun still comes out, especially for the Filipino children,” she said.
Aside from the classrooms and basketball courts, Sun Life Foundation and Children’s Hour Philippines is closely coordinating with the principals and administrators of the beneficiary schools for them to know other amenities that they can provide and to come up with a specific program that would help in the recovery of the students.
Sun Life has also donated 120 new boats to fisher folks in different areas in Iloilo affected by typhoon “Yolanda” earlier this year./PN
