ONE of the key advocacies of Cemex Philippines Foundation Inc.'s (CPFI) is Building Education. Through this pillar, CPFI supports the educational needs of young schoolchildren from various parts of the country.

Last year, parts of the Visayas and northern Mindanao were heavily affected by Super Typhoon 'Odette,' destroying homes and infrastructure in its path, including public school facilities.

With a shared vision of fostering integral education by providing students from public schools with decent and functional classrooms, as well as water distribution and sanitation facilities, CPFI, the corporate social responsibility arm of Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. partnered with GMA Kapuso Foundation.

'Our mission of building a better future for the next generation includes the creation and development of opportunities for young students by providing them with a conducive learning space,' says Luis Franco, president and CEO of Cemex Holdings Philippines.

A total of 3,850 cement bags were donated by Cemex Philippines Foundation which went to the construction of a total of 11 classrooms in three public elementary schools, namely Magallanes Elementary School in Limasawa Island and New Malangza Elementary School in Liloan, both located in Southern Leyte, and Baybay Elementary School in Burgos, Siargao in Surigao del Norte.

The newly built classrooms are designed to be typhoon-resistant and earthquake-proof, withstanding winds of up to 300 kilometers per hour and earthquakes of up to intensity 8. They feature reinforced concrete walls, steel doors and window jambs, a fiber-cement board ceiling, and an integrated floor slab and foundation.

The new classrooms are also PWD-friendly with the installation of PWD ramps and dedicated toilets per classroom.

Cemex Philippines Foundation Executive Director Erlinda Lizardo and Kristina Gallardo, communication, social impact and foundation officer, graced the groundbreaking and the subsequent inauguration ceremonies.