SM Foundation and BDO Foundation donated a new two-storey, four-classroom school building to Efraim Santibanez National High School in Passi, Iloilo.

The new building, built in the school campus, will benefit the high school students presently enrolled in the school, said Edmund Santibanez, the lot donor, adding SM patriarch Henry Sy, Sr. is the “only Filipino whose heart is in helping the poor.” 

The school has a total population of 524 students from neighboring barangays Mola-pola, Cabunga, Aglaluna, Sto. Tomas, Pataugan, Agtambo and Sarapan, of which 200 are in high school while the rest are in the elementary level.

The donation came complete with chairs, teachers’ tables, electric fans and toilets per classroom. Text books and library books were also donated to the school.

SM Foundation executive director Debbie Sy, BDO Foundation president Maureen Abelardo and SM Foundation executive director for Education Linda Atayde turned over the school building to school principal Nelson Palma, Department of Education Passi City Schools Division superintendent Maura Pait and Passi City mayor Jesry Palmares.