On March 10, 2023, GMC Executive Vice -President, Engr. Joselito Fausto “Toto” Parco led the groundbreaking ceremony and signing of Memorandum of Agreement of the 2-storey Home Economics Building at Pajo Elementary School which is donated by Mr. George U. Young Jr., Chairman and President of General Milling Corporation and Grand Floridian Holdings, Inc. (GFHI).
In his speech, Engr. Toto Parco said that while it is true that Pajo ES School Head, Ms. Paz Tecson took the initiative of writing GMC to adopt their school or an identified portion of it, Mr. George U. Young Jr. wanted to continue the legacy of his grandfather, the late Don Tirso Uytengsu who is the founder of GMC.
“Mr. Young believes in doing good. He wants to give importance in building the foundation, not just a building, but also the foundation of the society which means the youth. Maybe at some point in time, we will also have some engagement in Pajo High School. Pero magsugod ta diri because this is where the foundation is made and characters are formed,” Engr. Parco said.
The 2-storey building which will be named after Florida U. Young is a fully-furnished home economics building. It is designed with bedroom, kitchen, furniture, and others that one can see at home, and a laboratory that will benefit thousands of Pajo ES students in their Edukasyong Pantahanan and Pangkabuhayan (EPP) and Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE). This became the second school building which GMC has donated to the same school.
DepEd Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Wilfreda D. Bongalos, was also present during the event. In her message, she was thankful to GFHI and GMC for being one of the stakeholders of DepEd, particularly of Pajo ES. She was grateful for the corporation for heeding the call of fulfilling one of the pillars of DepEd which is the “Resources.”
She added that this activity shall be part of the Republic Act 8525, otherwise known as An Act Establishing an “Adopt-A-School Program,” Providing Incentives Therefor and for Other Purposes. The program was enacted to encourage private companies to assist in the delivery of better-quality education to public schools in the country, particularly in the poverty-stricken provinces.
School building donation is not new to GMC. The company has been supporting and collaborating with schools as part of its CSR engagement in the aspect of educational enhancement. To name a few, it has built and equipped the SU-G.K. Young Feed Laboratory in Silliman University’s Animal Science Department, and had previously donated a school building in Lutac, Naga, Cebu.
These activities are part of the company’s commitment to make positive and sustainable improvements in the communities where it operates. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been an integral part of the company’s business.
A blessing was done, followed by the groundbreaking proper.
Executives sealed their commitment to support the construction of the Florida U. Young building.
Engr. Toto Parco shook hands with Principal Paz Tecson. The shaking of hands signify partnership with GMC and Pajo Elementary School.
GMC Management and Staff, and Pajo ES Teachers, strike a pose together with the Ms. Paz Tecson, GMC Executives – Mr. Edwin Kho and Engr. Toto Parco, Brgy. Pajo Capt. Lyndel Bulios and DepEd Officials – Dr. Wilfreda Bongalos and Dr. Reynold Q. Velos.
