1st Global Millennium School to be constructed in RP

MANILA, Philippines – Winning design is meant to halt the vicious cycle of destruction and reconstruction, and is cost effective, environmentally friendly and sustainable.

The first ever millennium school, a product of the Global Millennium School Design Competition, initiated by the Be Better Build Better Program had its groundbreaking on May 15, 2009 in Nato Sangay, Camarines Sur to signify the building of our disaster mitigation and sustainable development contribution to the world.

Deputy Administrator Anthony Golez Jr. of the National Disaster Coordinating Council and executive director of Bicol Care Commission explains that the choice of Nato in Camarines Sur “is very significant as it marks the first of many positive changes for the community and region in terms of the long-term rehabilitation of the infrastructure, livelihood, health, education and in the lives of the people.”

“Education is always of prime importance in any nation, but it is much more so in a developing country like the Philippines. This project is both timely and prudent for it endows the marginal communities in Nato Sangay, Camarines Sur with a highly modern, functional, and sturdy school building that will steadily serve the education needs of the community” Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral added.

The Be Better Build Better Program was launched in August 2007. Program proponents opened the international design competition for the Millennium School in November 2007, then the winners were chosen by international Jury in April 2008, while the construction of the model school will start this month and is expected to be completed in September 2009.

The winning entry made by Eleena Jamil of Malaysia, extensively and ingeniously used the local and abundant bamboo as the main material integrated to her school’s structure, and in effect allowing a system that can withstand typhoons as well as rough monsoon winds.

The Be Better Build Better Program for the Millennium School is made possible by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC/DND), Departments of Education (DepEd), Social Welfare & Development (DSWD), Public Works & Highways (DPWH), My Shelter Foundation, United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) and the Private Sector Disaster Management Network (PSDMN).

Generous contributions by private sectors and non-profit organizations ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation and Sagip Kapamilya, Holcim Philippines, Petron Foundation, DHL Express Philippines, Manila Jaycees, Rotary Club district 3830, Innerwheel Club of the Philippines, Philippine Green Building Council, Punongbayan and Araullo, and MFI Foundation Inc. paved the way for the success of the program.

“This is the best example that we can show the world that the public and private sectors in the Philippines work together and cooperate for better results. We know that government alone nor private sector alone can not properly address the needs of our country and people. We have to work together as one. With this project, we have shown that we can work as one voice, one country, one world. This is how it should be,” PSDMN chairman Alex Escaño noted.

ABS-CBN Foundation and Sagip Kapamilya will be sponsoring the construction of the model school in CamSur. Tina Monzon-Palma, program head, said “this disaster resilient school is an answer to the aggravating problem of substandard school facilities which leads to poor quality of basic education in the country. We are hopeful that this P3M donation from Filipinos all over the world through Sagip Kapamilya of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. will pave the way for more breakthroughs not only in education but also in disaster management.”

For more information, log on to www.millennium-school.org or email [email protected] or call Kathy Villar-De Guzman at 0920-9537348.