Belle Corporation, an affiliate of SM Investments Corporation specializing in resort destinations and leisure property development, has facilitated a Php 100 million donation from the Melco Resorts (Philippines) Foundation Corporation (Melco Foundation) to the Province of South Cotabato and the Department of Education South Cotabato. The donation will fund the construction of classroom buildings across 40 public schools in the province.
This initiative, spearheaded by Belle Corporation, addresses the urgent classroom shortage in South Cotabato. Recent reports from September 2023 revealed a critical need for 608 additional classrooms in the province, part of a larger deficit of 8,257 classrooms in Region 12, according to the Department of Education
Belle Corporation President and CEO, Armin Antonio B. Raquel Santos, emphasized the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty, particularly in remote areas like South Central Mindanao, home to the Blaan and T’boli indigenous communities. “Although South Cotabato is far from our main operations in Metro Manila and Luzon, the need for classrooms in these underserved areas is pressing,” he said. “Through our partnership with the Melco Foundation, we are funding 80 new classrooms, which will accommodate up to 4,000 students. We believe this effort will significantly enhance the educational experience for these students and benefit their families and communities.”
The new classrooms are being constructed in public schools in Koronadal City, the provincial capital, and key municipalities including Polomolok, Tampakan, and Tupi. Each building will contain two classrooms, capable of accommodating up to 100 students, and will feature accessible designs such as wheelchair ramps and shared lavatory facilities. Additionally, each classroom will be equipped with ceiling fans and modern concave blackboards to create a more conducive learning environment.
Eight classroom buildings have already been completed in time for the start of the school year in Koronadal City, Tampakan, Tupi, and Banga, with the first completed building at Tupi Central Elementary School now serving over 40 third-grade students. The remaining buildings are in advanced stages of construction and are expected to open later this school year.
