ABOITIZPower formalized the turnover of the newly-built, two-storey school building to the San Agustin Integrated School-Annex in solidarity with the resumption of in-person learning in Pampanga.

The move was in partnership with the San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company.

The school broke ground in late 2019 but construction efforts were put on hold when the pandemic unexpectedly hit in 2020.

In a ceremony held last March 4, the school administrators welcomed representatives from the local government of San Fernando headed by Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin, as well as executives from SFELAPCO and AboitizPower during the ribbon-cutting and ceremonial signing of the school’s Deed of Donation.

The event symbolizes a fresh start for over 400 enrollees who will be using the new classrooms and facilities should there be plans to conduct classes in person, obviously a significant shift from the challenging ways of online learning at home.

SFELAPCO’s Senior Vice President and General Manager Jose Lazatin expressed enthusiasm in seeing the school finally erected,

“The pandemic may have slightly held us back from opening the school, but now we are excited to welcome the students back in a safe and refreshing environment of learning where they can absorb their lessons and be in the company of their friends and teachers,” said Lazatin.

“As with the rest of the households, businesses, and families in San Fernando, we are here to support the San Agustin Integrated School-Annex in elevating the quality of education in the province and fulfill the learning aspirations of their students.”

AboitizPower’s Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations Juan Alejandro Aboitiz also shared his thoughts on seeing the new school building to fruition.

“On behalf of AboitizPower and the Aboitiz Foundation, we thank our partners from SFELAPCO and the school administrators for staying the course of this two-year journey of building new school facilities despite the pandemic. Education is a key pillar in the Corporate Social Responsibility roadmap of the group,” said Aboitiz.

“We are committed to partnering with different stakeholders to boost the quality of education and create a conducive atmosphere of learning in communities that need them the most.”

School principal Marie Grace Ramos expressed gratitude and relief for having finally made it to the finish line.

“The long wait is over. The structure is eagerly awaiting the noise and cheerful sounds of the students. We’re very excited for the kids,” she said.

“On behalf of the entire school, we are very thankful to have been chosen as a beneficiary of this school building project.”