San Miguel Corporation (SMC), through its San Miguel Foundation (SMF), has formally turned over a newly renovated school building and upgraded learning facilities to benefit student-inmates at the Medium Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
The facility, now known as Better World Bilibid, is operated as the Bilibid Extension School (BES) and managed by the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) in partnership with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) since 1984. Over the years, the school’s condition deteriorated due to lack of funding.
The renovation is part of SMC’s ₱150-million donation to NBP and the Women’s Correctional. It follows a pledge made by SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang during his visit in 2024.
Recently unveiled in simple turnover rites, the upgraded school now features new classrooms, a computer room, library, audio-visual room, and a spacious multipurpose hall. The event was led by SMF Chairperson Cecile L. Ang, UPHSD President Dr. Anthony Jose M. Tamayo, UPHSD founder Dr. Daisy M. Tamayo, BuCor Director-General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr., Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Karl B. Miranda, and UPHSD School Director Arnaldo S. de Guzman.
Hundreds of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) enrolled in tertiary education and skills training programs are expected to benefit from the upgraded facilities. At the same time, the recurring donation for learning materials, uniforms, and TESDA-certified skills courses will benefit over 6,000 PDLs.
In her message, Ms. Ang expressed SMC’s commitment to support reformation efforts through education and skill-building. “Real change begins within each of us. We’re here to support you, to provide the facilities and materials that can help. But beyond what you now see — beyond the new buildings and tools — the most meaningful transformation must start from inside you. It’s your dreams, your choices, and your will to grow that will make this truly work,” she said in Filipino.
Of the total donation, P50 million was allocated for the BES program, including the school’s renovation and learning tools. An additional P85 million is funding a five-year meal augmentation program that benefits 31,219 PDLs over 48 days. Last Christmas, SMC also distributed P15 million worth of food packs as holiday gifts to the PDLs.
Better World Bilibid joins SMC’s growing network of community centers under the Better World initiative, which includes facilities in Tondo, Smokey Mountain, Diliman, and Cubao that address hunger, education, health, and livelihood needs in underserved communities.
The Better World initiative is one of the ways SMC is pursuing its major sustainability goals, which includes helping uplift the lives of 15 million Filipinos by 2030.
