27/08/2026
DepEd Cabanatuan, SM City Cabanatuan Strengthen Education Partnership
CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — The Department of Education (DepEd) Cabanatuan City Schools Division and SM City Cabanatuan have strengthened their commitment to advancing quality education and promoting the holistic development of learners, teachers, and the wider community through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on August 27, 2026.
The partnership brings together the public education sector and the private sector to support programs and initiatives that contribute to improved learning outcomes, school development, youth empowerment, and community engagement in Cabanatuan City.
The MOU was signed by Catalina P. Paez, PhD, CESO V, Schools Division Superintendent and Regional Operations Head of DepEd Cabanatuan City, and Junias M. Eusebio, Vice President, and Jane Marie Antonette S. Garcia, Assistant Vice President of Shopping Center Management Corporation (SCMC), on behalf of SM Prime Holdings, Inc.
The signing was witnessed by Wilfredo R. Sison, PhD, Chief of the School Governance and Operations Division; Royston A. Cabuñag, Assistant Vice President; and Cyrille Therese B. M***a, PhD, Division Partnership Focal Person of the Social Mobilization and Networking Unit.
Partnership Areas
Under the agreement, DepEd Cabanatuan City and SM City Cabanatuan will collaborate on a range of programs designed to address the needs of schools, learners, teachers, and community stakeholders.
These initiatives include:
Brigada Eskwela and School Support Programs — Mobilization of volunteers and provision of donations, materials, and supplies, as well as assistance for minor school repairs, cleaning, and beautification activities.
Educational and Student Development Activities — Support for career guidance fairs, reading campaigns, learning exhibits, student competitions, and other activities that encourage learners' academic and personal development.
Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns — Joint efforts to promote literacy, child protection, health and safety, environmental awareness, and other initiatives that contribute to the well-being of learners and communities.
Teacher and Community Capacity-Building — Conduct of seminars, training sessions, and workshops for teachers, learners, and community stakeholders. SM City Cabanatuan may also extend venue and logistical support, subject to availability.
As part of the partnership, SM City Cabanatuan will help identify and recommend beneficiary schools, learners, and programs and may provide resources, venues, manpower, or materials through its corporate social responsibility and community engagement initiatives.
DepEd Cabanatuan City, meanwhile, will identify beneficiary schools and programs and oversee coordination, monitoring, and implementation to ensure compliance with existing DepEd policies and guidelines.
The partnership reflects the shared commitment of DepEd Cabanatuan City and SM City Cabanatuan to making education more accessible, equitable, and responsive to the needs of learners and communities.
It also highlights the important role of public-private partnerships in supporting schools and creating opportunities for learners beyond the classroom. Through continued collaboration in education, youth development, and social welfare, the partnership aims to contribute to the sustained development of Cabanatuan City's education sector and the communities it serves.
