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SMART supports Balanga’s vision of ‘world-class’ education
Grade IV students of GL David Elementary School, now a Smart Schools Program partner, give a warm reception to (second and third from right) SMART Chief Wireless Advisor Orlando Vea and Balanga City Mayor Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III. Also in picture are (right) GL David Elementary School Principal Zenaida San Pedro and (left) homeroom adviser Marilyn Sakdalan.
(10 October, 2008) Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) is now a partner of the Balanga City Government in its efforts to raise education to ‘world-class’ standards using technology.
SMART provided Internet connectivity to the City’s Cyber Library, which houses an IT Lab that will mainly cater to the City’s 2,000 scholars.
In addition, six more public schools in Balanga City were adopted under the Smart Schools Program, its flagship community service project that promotes Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in education.
“We are supporting Balanga because we share the City’s vision to provide quality education and we believe that we are able to maximize our technology, services and programs in a city that is receptive to ICT in education,” said Orlando B. Vea, SMART Chief Wireless Advisor, during the program held at the Balanga Integrated School.
“Today, Balanga City sees the realization of its plans and discussions on how to improve and further upgrade the level of education in our city, with the help of Mr. Vea and the SMART Family,” said Balanga City Mayor Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III.
“Maraming, maraming salamat po sa SMART,” he added.
SMART also formalized its agreement with city officials on the Balanga City Infoboard. Infoboard is SMART’s web-based group broadcast service. Using a Talk ‘N Text customized SIM, the Balanga City Infoboard will allow the City to send out information like announcements, events, government requirements to constituents registered into the service. At the same time, the service’s feedback module also allows constituents to easily send feedback to government on services and programs.
“The InfoBoard will be of great help to government employees, especially to us teachers when classes are postponed during typhoons,” said Minerva Simbug, who teaches at the M. P. Cuaderno Sr. Memorial Elementary School. “Students and parents can also benefit from the service,” she added.
SMART officials led by Vea, who described himself as a ‘long-lost son’ of Balanga since he was born in Bataan, received a warm reception at the City Library, before they proceeded to the Balanga Integrated School for a simple program.
“We’re happy that we now have easy and free access to the Internet for our research needs,” said Jocelyn Aragay, one of the City’s 2,000 scholars. “Thank you very much to SMART for augmenting the facilities at the City Library and helping promote education,” she added.
Mildred N. Montañez, a Grade 5 teacher at the G.L. David Elementary School, expressed appreciation for the school’s inclusion in the Smart Schools Program.
“Teachers will now have a chance to learn how to use the computers and to maximize the benefits of Internet access, especially for research and education purposes,” she said.
There are now seven public school partners in Balanga City under the Smart Schools Program. Aside from the Bataan National High School, SMART adopted six more: GL David Memorial Elementary School, Cabog-Cabog Elementary School, Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School, Bani Elementary School, Tanato Elementary School and Balanga Integrated School.
Garcia said that SMART’s contributions boost Balanga City’s vision to establish a world-class university town by 2020. “We have to admit na talagang malayong-malayo pa sa world-class standard ang ating bayan, but we can begin by believing that we can be world-class,” he said.
“Just think. Here is SMART – a company with a big heart, that believes in us,” he said.
(Published 13 October 2008, Smart Communications, Inc.)
