Education chief Angara, Gokongweis seal deal to build classrooms

Insider Spotlight

• DepEd and the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation signed a memorandum of agreement under the Adopt-a-School Program to build 10 classrooms.
• Robinsons Land Corp. joined the initiative, with identified beneficiary schools in Pangasinan and Bacolod City.
• The partnership aims to help ease classroom shortages and provide safer, more learner-centered learning spaces.

The Department of Education and the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF), together with Robinsons Land Corp., have formalized a partnership to donate 10 classrooms under the government’s Adopt-a-School Program, reinforcing efforts to address classroom shortages in public schools.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the signing of the memorandum of agreement with GBF chair Lance Gokongwei last week. Also present during the ceremony were GBF general manager Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, GBF executive director Grace Colet, DepEd Assistant Secretary Aurelio Paulo Bartolome, and other officials from both organizations.

The big picture

The initiative seeks to reduce the country’s classroom backlog while creating safer, more conducive, and learner-centered environments for students, particularly in schools with the greatest infrastructure needs.

Among the identified recipient schools are Nalsian-Bacayao Elementary School, San Miguel Elementary School, and Bued Elementary School in Calasiao, Pangasinan, as well as Emiliano Lizares Elementary School in Bacolod City.

The classroom donation builds on GBF’s long-running education initiatives, which have focused on improving access to quality education through partnerships with government, schools, and local communities.

Why it matters

The Adopt-a-School Program encourages private sector participation in supporting public education by allowing companies and organizations to fund school infrastructure, learning resources, and other educational needs.

During the signing ceremony, Angara thanked the Gokongwei family for its continued support of Philippine education, describing the initiative as a lasting contribution to Filipino learners and a continuation of the education legacy of the late taipan John Gokongwei Jr.

GBF's Gokongwei-Cheng highlighted the broader impact of the classroom donations.

“Every new classroom represents more than just a building—it means more opportunities for meaningful learning, and a stronger foundation for every child’s future,” she said.

She also underscored the value of partnerships in expanding educational opportunities.

“At GBF, we remain committed to working alongside partners and communities to help strengthen education and build better futures for Filipino learners across the country,” Gokongwei-Cheng added.

— Edited by Daxim L. Lucas