Private donors to fund reconstruction of classrooms damaged by Yolanda

MANILA, Philippines - Private firms will fund the reconstruction and repair of at least 3,467 classrooms damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda last year, the Department of Education (DepEd) said yesterday.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro signed yesterday memoranda of agreement with 43 donors, including Coca-Cola, One Meralco, Philam Life, Security Bank, Rotary and Romualdez family, represented by Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.

Of the total 3,467 classrooms, 747 will be reconstructed while 2, 720 will be repaired.

The private sector’s pledged donation will cover about 20 percent of the total classrooms needed in the calamity-hit areas.

A total of 4,599 classrooms in the Visayas region and Palawan were totally destroyed while 13,021 were partially damaged by the typhoon which struck Eastern Visayas on Nov. 8 last year, according to DepEd Undersecretary Mario Deriquito.

Luistro also said they will start procuring building materials for approximately 2,000 classrooms to be constructed under the P2-billion Silid Aralan project of the DepEd and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

“The construction of damaged classrooms in Yolanda-hit areas started last Jan. 14. Together with the 2014 budget, we hope to finish the construction of strong classrooms by May 31 in time for the opening of classes in June,” Luistro said.

School feeding

Earlier yesterday, Luistro signed agreements with the private sector for the conduct of emergency school feeding program and donation of learners’ kit in Yolanda-ravaged areas.

DepEd said at least 89,367 students from Regions 4, 6, 7 and 8 will benefit from the school feeding program, which will be implemented for one month.

Jollibee Group Foundation, which is one of the private donors, will conduct school feeding in Regions 6 and 8, benefitting 41,367 students.

The Assisi Development Foundation and Feed the Children Philippines Inc. will provide vita-meal for 20,000 schoolchildren in Regions 4, 6, 7 and 8.

The Operation Blessing Foundation Inc. will likewise implement feeding program for 8,000 schoolchildren in Tacloban City.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines donated P1 million cash for the DepEd’s school feeding program in Region 8.

DepEd also received cash assistance amounting to P300,000 from Asian Life for the repair of houses of public school teachers.

The Dynamic Teen Company, headed by CNN hero Efren Penaflorida, also partnered with DepEd for the implementation of Kariton Klasrum in two schools in Tacloban City.