For Northern Cebu German firm gives 3 school buildings

CEBU, Philippines - As part of the rehabilitation efforts initiated by the private sector, three school buildings will rise before the opening of classes to help super typhoon Yolanda survivors in three northern Cebu towns.

German rail technology firm Bombardier Transportation entrusted Habitat For Humanity $125,000 cash donation right after super typhoon Yolanda struck in November last year for the construction of two-classroom building for selected schools in Medellin, Daanbantayan and San Remigio.

A memorandum of agreement inked yesterday formalized the rehabilitation project set to finish before the start of classes on June.

Present at the MOA signing were principals of recipient schools, Ester Cabatana from San Remigio National High School, Evelyn Pantaleon from Kawit Elementary School, and Rosario Dublin from Tapilon Elementary School.

Representing Habitat for Humanity were its Chief Executive Officer Charlie Ayco and Chief Operating Officer Leonilo Escalada, while donors were represented by David Douzenel and Nigel Garbett.

Escalada said they hope to finally have the groundbreaking next week.

Bombardier specifically extended help to these three schools since 23 of their 175 employees in their office here in Cebu were affected by super typhoon.

Three employees, who were alumni of each of the three schools, were tasked to directly coordinate and facilitate the rehabilitation project.

Douzenel and Garbett visited the recipient schools to assess the situation and extent of damage.

“We went to visit last week so that we can see the devastation and we saw that more is needed. But we hope that the two-classroom building can help them,” Garbett said.

Speaking on behalf of their schools, the principals thanked both organizations for considering their damaged institutions.

Donation from Bombardier was generated from employees contribution around the globe as well as the company’s own funds.  (FREEMAN)