In Yolanda-hit areas Philam, Give2Asia build more classrooms

CEBU, Philippines - With schools in typhoon Yolanda-affected areas still lacking classrooms after the storm surge destroyed thousands of school facilities late last year, Philam Foundation, through its flagship program “Philam Paaralan,” announced plans to build more classrooms in these calamity areas.

This is after Give2Asia, an international non-profit organization that drives philanthropic investment in Asia, chose Philam Paaralan as the program where it will put donations for Yolanda victims channeled through its organization.

Give2Asia and its partners entrusted to Philam Paaralan US$45,000 (Php1.97 million) which Philam Foundation matched with an equivalent amount of donation for a total of US$90,000 (Php3.94 million). The new funding will go to the construction of four new classrooms in San Jose Central Elementary School in Tacloban City and Cantahay Elementary School in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Max Ventura, Philam Foundation Executive Director, said, “We thank like-minded organizations like Give2Asia for choosing to support Philam Paaralan. Together, we can do more in helping disenfranchised people, especially the youth, in calamity-stricken areas get back to their feet and go on with their lives.”

In partnership with the Department of Education, Philam Foundation, the Philam Group of Companies’ CSR arm, launched Philam Paaralan in 2012 to empower more Filipino youth through a healthy education. Philam Paaralan is building classrooms in existing schools located in calamity-stricken areas, and deemed by DepEd to have a high need for a “healthy education.”

Each Philam Paaralan classroom comes complete with chairs, blackboards, fans, and lighting equipment. As part of its vision to give students a “healthy education,” Philam Foundation also integrates the WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) program in each Philam Paaralan. Under this program, a Philam Paaralan classroom comes with a toilet room dubbed the WASH room.

With construction commencing early this year, 29 “Philam Paaralan” classrooms in Yolanda-hit areas are targeted for completion within the first quarter of the school year.

The initial batch of Philam Paaralan recipients include the following elementary schools: Loon, Santa Fe, Medellin, Pastrana, Manalili, San Jose and Marasbaras. Philam Paaralan also allocated resources to damaged schools in Negros and Panay Island.

“The education sector is a crucial component of progress and social mobility, Philam Paaralan will be here to ensure that more Filipinos are able to study in an environment that is conducive to learning,” said Ventura.

To date, 18 Philam Paaralan classrooms have been built since 2011, and 40 classrooms including the 29 in Yolanda-hit areas are being built nationwide.

The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company (Philam Life) is the country’s premier life insurance company. Established on June 21, 1947, Philam Life offers an extensive line of products in the industry that provides solutions to various financial needs including life protection, health insurance, savings, education, retirement, investment, group and credit life insurance.  (FREEMAN)