11 April 2025, Makilala, North Cotabato. Dole Philippines, Inc.-Stanfilco Division (Dole-Stanfilco) and Kasilak Development Foundation Inc. (Kasilak) spearhead the Groundbreaking Ceremony and MOA Signing for the Construction of 1-Unit Classroom Building at Garsika Elementary School, Brgy. Garsika, Makilala, North Cotabato on April 11, 2025. The construction of the classroom building is in partnership with the 512th Engineer Construction Battalion and 39th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, DepEd Schools Division of Cotabato, BLGU Garsika and MLGU Makilala.
Garsika Elementary School is one of the many schools in Makilala, North Cotabato which were affected/damaged by the 2019 earthquake which made their school buildings unsuitable for learning or risky to use. This prompted the school to relocate to the MLGU-donated property to mitigate the risks. To date, there are only 2-unit classroom buildings and few temporary/makeshift learning spaces for a school population of 360 and counting. As observed, the temporary/makeshift learning spaces are not conductive to learning during summer season/hot weather conditions, hence, this school building construction has been proposed.
The groundbreaking and MOA signing activities were well-attended by partners and guests from BLGU Garsika (represented by Hon. Reynaldo A. Puno), LGU Makilala (Hon. Romnick Cabaron), the 39th IB, PA (LTC Ian Hermosura), the 512th ECBn, PA (LTC Johnny Gabica), Dole-Stanfilco (Mr. Wilfred Oville Jr., Mr. Victor Hilado, and Nestor Lavarias), Kasilak (EnP. Jobe C. Tubigon, Novee Wila Rafaela, and Nepjun Melsm Jihad Seromines) and the DepEd Schools Division of Cotabato (Dr. Julie Lumugdang), as well as School Principal Maribelle Mendez, teachers, and students.
As a partnership project, Dole-Stanfilco will fund/provide the necessary materials for the construction, 512th ECBn will provide manpower (own skilled personnel) for the construction, 39th IB will provide security for the construction personnel and the materials, BLGU Garsika will provide food counterpart and shed to house the materials, MLGU Makilala and DepEd Schools Division of Cotabato will assist in the monitoring and other technical support and Kasilak will do the overall coordination, supervision and oversight of the construction/implementation.
In his opening message, Brgy. Chairman Hon. Reynaldo A. Puno thanked Dole-Stanfilco and Kasilak for fulfilling their promise of constructing a new school building which is very helpful for the students/teachers/communities in their recovery from earthquake. He also appreciated the 512th ECBn and 39th IB for the manpower support which he is sure that the school building will be built with quality standards.
Mr. Wilfred Oville Jr., CSR/Employee Engagement Manager of Dole-Stanfilco, highlighted the commitment and role of Dole-Stanfilco and Kasilak in supporting education as part of its core programs (Adopt-a-School Program), corporate social responsibility and value creation. He thanked the 512th ECBn, the 39th IB and Kasilak for the sustained partnerships in the construction of school buildings, day care centers, handwashing facilities, and other small infrastructure support needed by the partner communities in Mindanao, especially where Dole-Stanfilco operates. Mr. Nestor Lavarias (Finance) and Mr. Victor Hilado III (Labor Relations), echoed the support of Dole-Stanfilco and Kasilak in Cotabato province especially in terms of education, basic social services, livelihoods and environment programs, including disaster response and recovery which this new school building construction is part of (earthquake affected communities).
Hon. Romnick Cabaron (LGU Makilala) and Dr. Julie Lumugdang (DepEd Schools Division of Cotabato) shared the longtime partnership and support of Kasilak and Dole-Stanfilco with LGU Makilala and DepEd in the education sector (e.g. Adopt-a-School, Brigade Eskwela). They echoed the remark of Brgy. Chaiman Puno of a quality-built school building with the support of the engineering battalion of the Philippine Army in the construction.
LTC Ian Hermosura (39th IB) and LTC Johnny Gabica (512th ECBn) shared that that their continued partnership with Kasilak and Dole-Stanfilco is part of their community support program, especially in their areas of operation. As strategic partners, they underscored the value/importance of the partnership with Dole-Stanfilco and Kasilak and they commit to continue the partnership to contribute to wider and collective impacts.
Ms. Maribelle Mendez, Garsika ES school principal, shared the state of the school address (SOSA) and highlighted the significant contributions of Dole-Stanfilco and Kasilak in achieving their educational goals and targets. She is grateful for the construction of a new school building as this will not only improve their learning environment/outcomes but also achieve their educational goals and targets.
