San carlos city: The Magtaking Elementary School in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, has officially inaugurated a new two-story, four-classroom building. This development comes as a result of a collaborative effort between the Department of Education (DepEd) and SM Foundation, Inc., under the department's Adopt-A-School program.

According to Philippines News Agency, San Carlos City Schools Division Superintendent Diosdado Cayabyab highlighted that a memorandum of agreement was signed and a groundbreaking ceremony held in August of the previous year. The Adopt-A-School program enables private entities to contribute resources to public schools, offering them tax incentives as stipulated under Republic Act 8525, known as the Adopt-a-School Act of 1998. This program allows private organizations to support public schools in various ways, including staff and faculty development, construction and upgrade of facilities, provision of educational materials, and modernization of instructional technologies.

Carmen Linda Atayde, executive director of SM Foundation, mentioned in an interview that this new school building marks the 115th constructed across the Philippines by the foundation. She noted that the building is a model structure, equipped with special features such as seats for left-handed students, a total of 50 seats with teacher's tables, a counseling area, and a whiteboard. Atayde explained that the selection of schools for such projects prioritizes institutions that accommodate more than 60 students per classroom or are considered overcrowded.

School principal Christopher Macasias expressed his gratitude to the foundation for the new building, emphasizing that it represents more than just a physical structure. "It is a symbol of hope, opportunity, and a brighter future for the learners. Through the generosity of SM Foundation and SM Appliance, we provide a better and more conducive environment for learning to the learners," Macasias stated.