Foundation turns over 80 classrooms to Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Taiwan-based Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation turned over at least 80 temporary classrooms for the students affected by the Zamboanga siege.

The environment-friendly classrooms that looked like covered canopy were fashioned through steel pipes and angular bars with plastic polypropylene boards built on cemented floorings cost$7,200 each, a total of $576,000 for all units.

The classrooms which absorb heat and noise were formally turned over by the foundation through Tzu Chi Zamboanga headed by Dr. Anton Lim.

The temporary classrooms were intended for students whose classroom buildings are being used by the internally displaced persons of the Sept. 9 siege staged by the Moro National Liberation Front rebels under Misuari-faction.

Several classrooms of different public schools have remained as temporary shelters of evacuees while waiting for the rehabilitation of the war devastated disctrict. 

“We are delighted to receive these temporary classrooms for our children that will give them a better space that is conducive to learning. We are so thankful to the Tzu Chi,” Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said as she thanked the volunteers of Tzu Chi both here and in Taiwan. 

Salazar said her administration is now finalizing the Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction master plan for development of the damaged district.