RC Makati has successfully inaugurated its fourth Dormitory Project, formally turning over the facility to the Palawan State University (PSU) in Puerto Princesa on June 24. Among those who flew in to witness the turnover were Pres. Bing Matoto, VP Howie Calleja, Dir. Rodrigo Segura, Dir. Bom Villatuya, Dir. Winston Uy, PE Eddie Galvez, PP Louie Aseoche, and PDG Pepz Bengzon and incoming RAED Doris Ensomo.
The day’s events commenced with a quick lunch at the PSU Hotel with the Chairperson and President of Angat Pinas Foundation, Atty. Leni Robredo. Thereafter, they proceeded to the dormitory site for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pres. Bing led the ribbon-cutting alongside Atty. Robredo and Dr. Ramon Docto, President of the Palawan State University.
The dormitory blessing, led by Rev. Fr. Francis Mark Guzman, covered all areas of the facility, starting from the main door to the well-equipped kitchen, the study area furnished with computers, the 20-bed double-decker room complete with beddings, pillows, and mosquito nets, and the comfort rooms and shower area. The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the marker bearing the RC Makati logo, followed by the symbolic turnover of the dormitory key to PSU officials.
The team then moved on to the jam-packed PSU auditorium for the formal program of the event. In his message, Pres. Bing shared the impact this project will have on the students of the school and discussed potential future projects for the province. Atty. Leni shared the story of how the partnership with RC Makati was conceived and this was at the time when she was invited to be guest speaker of the club. Right after her talk, the Club committed P1M to Angat Buhay — one of the projects under Angat Pinas Foundation — which later on was earmarked for a dorm project after then President Fred Pascual, now the Secretary of DTI, noted that school dorms for students who lived in far-flung barangays were not being funded by the government.
This project aims to address absenteeism caused by the significant distances students must travel from their homes to school. The PSU dormitory, funded by the RC Makati at P2.2M, will accommodate 20 female students from underprivileged backgrounds and remote areas, providing them with a safe and conducive living environment for their studies.
RC Makati’s partnership with the Angat Pinas Foundation has been instrumental in previous dormitory projects in Sumilao, Bukidnon; La Libertad, Negros Oriental; and Infanta, Quezon.
RC Makati also partnered with RC Puerto Princesa through Pres. Claudio Favila for the purchase of necessities inside the dormitory, further strengthening the collaborative efforts within the Rotary network.
This collaboration with Angat Pinas underscores RC Makati’s unwavering commitment to education and community development. Plans are already underway for a fifth dormitory in the upcoming Rotary year, continuing the legacy of support and empowerment for students in need.
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