The Hundred Islands

Alaminos City National High School Receives Major Educational Boost from SM Foundation

By Chanel Angela Viray and Zion Clyne Ofrey Garcia

Alaminos City National High School (ACNHS) is poised to receive a significant upgrade to its educational infrastructure as SM Foundation steps forward with a generous donation of computers, furniture, and other essential learning materials in January.

This contribution is part of the foundation's nationwide school-building program, aimed at enhancing the learning experience across the country.

In addition to state-of-the-art digital devices, the SM Foundation will also provide a two-storey building to accommodate the growing needs of ACNHS.

The second floor will house a cutting-edge computer laboratory, named the "DigiHub," exclusively dedicated to special programs.

The DigiHub's location on the upper floor ensures both the safety of the equipment and the preservation of the facility for future generations.

The turnover of the ICT equipment will take place one week after the building's formal turnover.

This is a key milestone in SM Foundation's ongoing education initiative, which has already contributed 117 school buildings to the Department of Education (DepEd) in various communities across the nation where SM operates.

Juris U. Soliman, Consultant and Head of the School Building Program, alongside Project Assistant Jaycee Garcia, confirmed that the latest donation will include 20 ACER computers, new chairs and tables, a 60-inch television for educational purposes, and protective grills for added student safety.

Soliman elaborated on the foundation's meticulous approach to selecting classroom furniture, ensuring that even the smallest details are considered.

“For example, if we provide 200 armchairs, 10% of those are designed for left-handed students,” she explained, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to meeting the diverse needs of every classroom.

While the initial plan was to donate a building with four classrooms, the project faced a slight delay due to a typhoon that disrupted the contractor’s office operations.

Soliman acknowledged this challenge, explaining, “The typhoon impacted the contractor’s office, but we are now moving forward with the project.”

ACNHS is the fifth school nationwide to benefit from the SM Foundation’s generosity, following a series of similar initiatives that began in Iloilo.

The foundation is already planning to expand its reach next year, with schools in Surigao, Negros Oriental, and Nueva Vizcaya slated to receive donations.

Notably, in the entire province of Pangasinan, only two schools—Alaminos City National High School and San Carlos City—have received donations thus far.

The selection process for beneficiary schools is rigorous and includes identifying institutions near SM Malls that have valid land titles and are current on tax obligations.

Following this, SM Foundation works closely with DepEd and the respective Schools Division Superintendents.

Before construction begins, SM Foundation engineers conduct thorough soil assessments to ensure the stability and safety of the buildings.

In addition to its infrastructure contributions, SM Foundation continues to support educational growth by offering scholarship programs for Grade 12 students.

This further strengthens its commitment to improving access to quality education and empowering future leaders.

Photos by: Chrisha Denelle Abarra