The administration of Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco has cited the President’s sister, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, for putting up a pre-school building inside an elementary school in the coastal city.
Tiangco issued the statement following a simple turn-over ceremony late last week at the  Kapitbahayan Elementary School in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS) where the new one-story two-classroom structure was built.
“We were all gratified as we are fortunate that our city was chosen to be one of the recipients of the projects on education being initiated by the President’s sister, Ms. Aquino-Abellada,” the youthful city chief executive said.
Aquino-Abellada, chairman of AGAPP (Aklat, Gabay at Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa) Foundation, was assisted by Jose Vennacio Batiquin, chief operating officer of Thermamorbile Inc., in turning over the key of the school building to Tiangco and other local school officials.
The mayor, in return, promised her that the city government will maintain the newly built structure for kindergarten students in the barangay and adjoining villages.
He said more kindergarten students in the city will surely benefit from the new building built by the foundation exclusively for them.
The Tribune was told that the foundation, which has linked up with other non-government organizations (NGOs) and other civic groups, has built 100 pre-schools in President Aquino’s first year in office or from July 2010 to mid-June 2011.
The foundation has focused on pre-schools as it acknowledges the importance of preparing children better for the rigors of formal schooling.