The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) is marking its 34th year by building 10 new classrooms for public elementary schools in Calasiao, Pangasinan, and Bacolod City.
GBF Chairman and President Lance Gokongwei led the ceremonial groundbreaking in Calasiao on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The project is a partnership between GBF, the Department of Education (DepEd) and Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) under the DepEd Adopt-A-School Program.
The project will provide six classrooms for three public elementary schools in Calasiao and four classrooms for Emiliano Lizares Elementary School in Bacolod City. RLC is supporting the project as part of the partnership.
Where the Classrooms Are Going
The 10 classrooms will be distributed among four public elementary schools:
- Two at Nalsian-Bacayao Elementary School in Calasiao
- Two at Bued Elementary School in Calasiao
- Two at San Miguel Elementary School in Calasiao
- Four at Emiliano Lizares Elementary School in Bacolod City
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Gokongwei formally turned over the classroom donation blueprint to DepEd Human Resource and Organizational Development Assistant Secretary Aurelio Paulo “AP” Bartolome, symbolizing the start of construction.
Schools That Flood
DepEd Ilocos Region Director Dr. Estela Cariño said the three Calasiao schools were selected because they frequently experience flooding.
“These schools needed the classrooms since they mostly experience flooding,” Cariño said.
“This would be very helpful to bridge the gap in classroom shortage. You see, even if we build a new one, natural calamities usually destroy classrooms,” she added.
Cariño said GBF and RLC aim to complete construction within the year or early next year, depending on weather conditions.
Bartolome also thanked GBF for its continued support of public education.
“Nagpapasalamat ang DepEd sa patuloy na suporta ng mga private partners tulad ng Gokongwei Brothers Foundation upang mapunuan ang ating kakulangan sa classrooms,” Bartolome said.
Safe and Conducive Spaces
In his speech, Gokongwei said classrooms are only one part of providing quality education.
“In GBF, we’ve always believed that education is one of the most powerful ways to transform lives. It opens doors to opportunity, helps individuals realize their potential, and creates pathways to a better future. But quality education requires more than dedicated teachers and eager learners. It also requires safe and conducive spaces where learning can take place,” he said.
He said the new classrooms are intended to give students more comfortable and dignified spaces for learning.
Gokongwei also thanked DepEd for helping identify schools where support is most needed and RLC for its role in the project.
Calasiao Vice Mayor Kevin Macanlalay also attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
GBF said the classroom project is intended to strengthen its partnership with the beneficiary schools and support learning communities beyond the construction of new facilities.
34 Years of GBF
GBF was established in 1992 by brothers John Gokongwei Jr., Johnson, Henry and James Gokongwei. The foundation was created with the goal of making a lasting impact on education in the Philippines.
As of 2025, GBF had supported 3,428 lifetime scholars through its scholarship programs. It also reported 1,263 active scholars and 1,988 graduates.
GBF's education programs include:
- GBF STEM Scholarships, which provide financial support to students and educators pursuing STEM-related studies
- Iskolar ni Juan, a technical-vocational scholarship program that provides training in fields such as Mechatronics Servicing
- GBF Class Builder, a teacher-development platform providing learning materials and coaching strategies
- GBF STEM Collab, a nationwide community for STEM educators focused on knowledge-sharing and professional development
The foundation has also supported major educational institutions through endowments, including the Ateneo de Manila University John Gokongwei School of Management, De La Salle University Gokongwei College of Engineering, and the Ateneo de Manila University Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design. Its support also helped establish the John Gokongwei Jr. Innovation Center at De La Salle University.
