Shell donated USD 100,000 to AGAPP (Aklat, Gabay at Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa) Foundation to build 10 kindergarten classrooms in five public elementary schools in Luzon that were hit by typhoon Pedring in September 2011. The donation is in support of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) thrust in enhancing the quality of basic education in the country.  

Pilipinas Shell’s Vice President for Communications Roberto Kanapi and Social Investment Manager Jacqueline Ampil turned over the Silid Pangarap classrooms to AGAPP (Aklat, Gabay at Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa) Foundation represented by its chairperson and Presidential sister Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Aquino-Abellada on August 19, 2013 at Tuguegarao North East Central School, which is one of the beneficiaries of kindergarten classrooms in Cagayan region. The other recipient is Estefania Elementary School in Amulung East District of Cagayan.

“Building these classrooms for kindergarten pupils in public schools all over the country will go a long way in enhancing the quality of basic education in the country. Shell believes in DepEd and AGAPP Foundation’s commitment in advancing quality education which is why we support building better educational facilities in public schools in the country,” said Kanapi.

The classrooms are equipped with furniture, learning materials and six months worth of school supplies. Pre-selected books for Kinder to Grade 3 pupils (ages 5 to 8) and teacher training for kindergarten teachers and selected school administration officials are also part of the donation. Other beneficiary schools where kindergarten facilities were built were Marcelo del Pilar Elementary School in Bulacan and Haliap Elementary School in Ifugao.

Gas technology and energy leader Shell supports DepEd and AGAPP Foundation’s aim to build more preschool facilities all over the country. Enhancing preschool education in the country is one of Shell’s innovative methods in promoting youth development along with its established programs like the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship and the Shell National Students Art Competition, which are breeding ground for world-class Filipino talents.

Founded in 2010, AGAPP, a non-profit organization engaged in building pre-school facilities in public schools all over the country, is targeting to build 1,000 kindergarten classrooms by 2016. “We have built 601 classrooms in three years, and the number is growing. AGAPP will be going to several provinces to build more preschool facilities to help in improving the quality of basic education in our country. Thank you to Shell for supporting public schools to improve their facilities, and we are appealing to more private companies to support our cause for the welfare of the Filipino youth,” said Pinky Aquino-Abellada in an interview after the turnover ceremony. [Jun Jay G. Jimenez]