102 years old Gabaldon bldg rebuilt as green school

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

SORSOGON, CITY---The 102-year-old dilapidated Gabaldon school built during the American colonial era in Sorsogon City was rebuilt by SM Foundation as green school that would address the new normal requirement of the Department of Education in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic here.

Joji Buelvo, 52, school principal of Basud Elementary School in Sorsogon City said that the construction of two-story school building is a greatest gift to learners and of the Department of Education as it will address the new normal for 570 learners and 20 teachers here.

SM Foundation hands over the two-storey school building to DepEd officials in Sorsogon built in the middle of coronavirus pandemic. (Rhaydz B. Barcia)

“This will fight the pandemic and the children will be inspired to learn more. The donations given by the SM will help the students and the modular distance learning as 10 units of laptops, organ, books, 570 school supplies, with school bags, school materials were given,” she said during the turnover ceremony the other day here.

The building was constructed in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Learning will be inviting. Your donation will serve as a haven. We are academically ready with this new facility under the new normal education. Being chosen as the recipient of the two story four classroom building from SM Prime through SM Foundation is a great privilege to Basud Elementary School,” she said.

She said that before Covid-19 pandemic, intermediate classes were held in old classrooms where ceilings were already deformed and dripping during rainy days.

“Classrooms were no longer conducive for learning and risky. Now with these 2-storey fully furnished classrooms come face to face mode of teaching, our learners will be surprised by this gift of learning,” the principal said.

According to her, the pupils of Basud Elementary School will be more than inspired, comfortable and inviting made possible through the kindness and initiative of SM Foundation and SM Prime Holdings.

“Your benevolent hearts ripple goodness among hopeful learners. Soon in the future more encouraging gestures will be created through you igniting. Your donation will serve as a haven in nurturing the young minds of our Basud Elementary School learners to be academically-ready and as well-rounded members of the community and beyond. A timeless legacy to keep in our hearts,” Buelvo said.

The construction of the new building, according to Buelvo, is timely.

“We are overwhelmed that from the many schools in Sorsogon our school was chosen. This partnership is a great support in the DepEd’s dream of providing classrooms conducive to learning,” she said.

Juris Soliman, project director of SM foundation said that the rehabilitation of two story school building is worth more than P5 million including the equipment installed thereof.