“Donate-A-Book Project” at Rizal Elementary School earlier today, November 14. In coordination with DepEd Bacolod and the City Government and The SM Store Bacolod.

A total of 300 school supplies were handed out to students.

The program was participated by Councilor Al Espino, Chairperson Committee on Education, and Executive Assistant IV to the Mayor, Carmeli Bantug-Zayco. Along with them were SM City Bacolod Branch Manager Willie Gamboa, DepEd Bacolod Senior Education Program Specialist Celestino Nefras, Jr. and Atty. Jubert Katalbas, DepEd Bacolod Legal Officer.

It is part of corporate social responsibility of The SM Store and the donation project is being held quarterly to partner public schools around the country, Gamboa said.

They have gathered donated school supplies and books from customers and hand out vouchers in return, opening them a channel to donate also. “We are means to be able for our customers to give back to the community,” Gamboa added

Prior to Rizal Elementary School, The SM Store Bacolod has also given out several school supplies to other public elementary schools around Negros Occidental.

The Donate-A-Book project started in 2015 and has collected and distributed almost 800,000 books and learning materials through the generosity of The SM Store customers.
(Source: Bacolod City Public Information Office)