In a simple turn-over ceremony held at the school’s mini-gymnasium last October 30, 2020, Sanja Elementary School formally accepted the one-room school building donated by Mr. Ronald M. Labbao. The symbolic key was accepted by the School Principal, Ms. Marieta, Socorro T. Guzman, Municipal Mayor Bryan Dale G. Chan, Brgy. Captain Erwin Lobas, PTA President Garry L. Lobas, SES Teachers Association President Ma Carmela M. Tabalan, SPG President Amber Francine Delacruz and other dignitaries present in the occasion.
Miss Guzman, the School Principal, expressed her gratitude on behalf of the Sanja ES family and community with these grateful words:
God has His way of granting what our heart desires. He sends angels as channels of His blessings. Who says angels are only those with halo and wings that we usually picture them? Angels also come in disguise as good-looking men and women like our very own Hon. Mayor Bryan Dale G. Chan, Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda, Rev. Father Kenneth Maggay, Mr. Ronald Labbao, Brgy. Captain Erwin Lobas and his council, Mrs. Lorenza D. Cabalza, PTA President Kag. Garry Lobas, the teachers who are angels whom God entrusted His little children to be taught and nurtured, dear parents, respected visitors, a blessed day to all. We are all angels and in one way or the other had become a channel of blessing to others. But we are very blessed here at Sanja Elementary School because God sent us not just a good-looking angel but also a good-hearted one in the person of Mr. Ronald M. Labbao. It was September of 2018 when Typhoon Ompong brought much destruction to our school. Our three-room building was destroyed and beyond repair. It was reported to proper authorities however, to this day, there is no replacement yet. And that left us a problem on where to place our pupils. For almost two years, the kinder had their classes here at the gymnasium amidst rain and sunshine. Two classes shared a room that made it jam-packed. To at least lighten our burden, the PTA through the leadership of Kag. Garry Lobas put up a 4 x 5m room to house our kinder. We conducted IGP's, asked for support and donations and the spirit of Bayanihan was displayed as the parents voluntarily constructed the building free of labor cost. Teachers also reached out to generous persons of which one among them is Mr. Ronald Labbao who gave Php 20 000 to help us finance the project. It was the same month last year when Sir Ronald paid a visit to our school. He came here to see how he could help the school more and upon seeing the situation of our pupils, out of the blue, and to my amazement, he told me that he will be giving a one-room building. Not long after, the construction started and is now ready for use. With heartfelt gratitude, in and on behalf of the teachers, pupils, and the Sanja community as a whole, I accept the building with a promise that hand in hand we will be stewards that will pilot in the maintenance and safeguarding of the property to maximize its full potential and utilization capacity. When everything will be back to normal the new school building will provide learners a conducive space for learning and can now concentrate more on their study, be inspired to study harder, and reach their highest potential.
We still need at least 3 more rooms to augment our classroom shortage but with high hopes coupled with fervent prayers, God will be sending more of His angels to deliver again His blessings to his precious children of Sanja Elementary School. Again, thank you so much Sir Ronald, and to your family. The legacy you imparted to honor your late father Rudy M. Labbao will forever be cherished. May God bless you more abundantly.
As an expression of their utmost gratitude the Sanja ES School Governing Council handed a Certificate of Appreciation to the donor.
