TOGETHER FOR BETTER LEARNING. CitySavings, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), inaugurates a new classroom at Bashoy Elementary School in Kabayan, Benguet. The Bank led the private-sector initiative by donating construction materials, while Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and Hedcor Inc. provided 10 solar panels (10 kWp) and Starlink internet connectivity, respectively.
CitySavings has completed another educational infrastructure project in partnership, primarily, with the Department of Education-Cordillera Administrative Region (DepEd-CAR). The project is a new one-classroom building at Bashoy Elementary School in Kabayan, Benguet inaugurated on December 4, 2025. It supports the infrastructure component of DepEd-CAR’s Salaknib tan Namnama program, which targets geographically isolated and hard-to-reach communities in the Cordillera region.
The program’s name, which is Ibaloi for “protecting and giving hope”, reflects the initiative’s mission to provide support and resources to disadvantaged learners in these communities and ensure they have access to quality education. It also aims to build partnerships between and among government agencies, local communities, and private organizations to achieve these goals.
The classroom construction exemplified community collaboration and multi-sectoral partnership, with contributions from multiple stakeholders. CitySavings led the private-sector initiative by donating construction materials, while Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and Hedcor Inc. provided ten solar panels (10 kWp) and Starlink internet connectivity, respectively. All three institutions are part of the Aboitiz Group of Companies. For the public sector, the Philippine Army and Joint Task Force Unit Panagkaykaysa, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine National Police – CAR, local residents mobilized by the Municipal Government of Kabayan and Barangay Bashoy, Parent-Teacher Association, and school faculty, provided labor and technical services.
DepEd-CAR Regional Director Estela Leon-Cariño emphasized that the project demonstrated the power of bayanihan (community cooperation) and shared leadership, with construction completed in just four months. Kabayan, Benguet Mayor Rex Alwin Aquisan thanked all contributors, noting that the facility would improve learning conditions for students in the remote mountain community.
“We look forward to replicating this model representing stakeholdership, partnership, and hope nationwide,” mentioned CitySavings Senior Vice President and External Relations Head, Roel Eric Garcia. Lauding the collective contributions of everyone, Garcia recalled the words of Nobel Peace Prize awardee Bishop Desmond Tutu, and exhorted everyone to continue “to do their little bit of good where they are, because it is these little bits of good put together that will overwhelm the world.”
CitySavings remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting DepEd’s education reforms and 5-Point Agenda, working hand in hand with the Department to help ensure inclusive, accessible, and quality education for every Filipino learner.
