Verum Terra Geoscience Inc. has officially turned over a newly constructed two-classroom school building to Sulangan Elementary School in Barangay Sulangan, Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The project, funded under the company’s Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), addresses the critical shortage of classroom space that has long affected education quality in the remote coastal community.
The school building was constructed to the standards set by the Department of Education (DepEd), featuring:
Prior to the construction, Sulangan Elementary School operated with severely overcrowded classrooms, with some classes holding more than 80 students in spaces designed for 40. This overcrowding forced the school to implement double-shift schedules, significantly reducing instructional time for students.
The school principal described the impact: “Our teachers and students have struggled with overcrowding for years. The new classrooms from Verum Terra will allow us to return to a single-shift schedule, giving our students the full learning time they deserve. This is a game-changer for our school.”
The turnover ceremony was attended by local government officials, DepEd representatives, community leaders, parents, and students. A ribbon-cutting and blessing ceremony marked the official opening of the building, followed by a program that included performances by the students and speeches expressing gratitude for the company’s investment in education.
Verum Terra reaffirmed its commitment to supporting education infrastructure in its host communities, with plans to construct additional classroom buildings and provide learning materials and equipment to schools in neighboring barangays in the coming years.