First Balfour is proud to have found new partner schools in Ormoc City for the implementation of Project K12, the company’s education program aimed at supporting the K to 12 program of the Department of Education. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed earlier today with Valencia National High School (VNHS) and Genaro B. Lureñana National High School (GBLNHS), a collaboration which will improve course offerings under the technical-vocational track in senior high school (SHS).
The MOA signing was joined by First Balfour executives, LGBU Project Managers, DepEd representatives, SHS students, and Ormoc City Councilor Caren Torres-Rama (2nd row, 6th from right)
In this partnership, First Balfour along with its vendors will be providing essential materials and resources necessary for the success of the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) course in GBLNHS and the Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) course in VNHS. This includes equipment, tools, and educational resources that will be made accessible to the students, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
L-R: GBLNHS Principal Catalina Pedong, First Balfour Head of Human Resources Group Carlos Pedro Salonga, VNHS Principal Helen Fuentes, and First Balfour President Anthony Fernandez
Since its launch in 2016, Project K12 has been able to support over 400 senior high school (SHS) students in Paranaque City. Its success in Paranaque City, seen in the support provided to schools such as Parañaque National High School and Dr. Arcadio Santos National High School, laid the groundwork for its expansion into other regions. Having been part of the local community in Leyte for many years, First Balfour saw the opportunity to provide Ormocanon SHS students with immediate employment options post-graduation. Approximately 64 students enrolled in the SMAW and EIM courses are not just gaining skills but are also being prepared for a future that may well include working with First Balfour.
In a separate event, the HR-Employee Engagement Team along with the LGBU Project Management Team also visited Tongonan Elementary School to hand over the donations from the company’s Balik Eskwela Donation Drive held in late August. Kindergarten and Grade 1 pupils received various school supplies and umbrellas to help with their daily commutes.
Tongonan Elementary School
These recent activities not only affirm First Balfour’s commitment to education—one of the two centerpiece elements in its strategic sustainability programs—but also showcased the tangible impact of private sector involvement in public education.
