In any barangay or town, a public
school does not only serve as a hub for learning, it also serves as an
important center in the life of a community. Often, community members gather on
the grounds of the school for events and other activities.
Although all schools in the country
have seen significantly educed activity in compliance with national guidelines
on community quarantines and social distancing, public schools an important
symbol of community life and solidarity.
This is one of the reasons why Ayala
Foundation, together with the Ayala group of companies, included the provision
of materials for the repair of Dugui 2 Elementary School in Virac, Catanduanes,
which experienced devastation during the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly early in
November.
Dugui 2 Elementary School is located
near a river, near the outskirts of Virac. It is a 7-km drive on the mountain
ridge of Catanduanes. It is a relatively small school with a student population
of 252, and with a 12-person teaching staff. At the height of the onslaught of
Typhoon Rolly, the single-story school experienced flooding that reached up to
the ceiling of its 10 classrooms. The strong winds also led to the collapse of
the school’s roof.
Neil Bañares, school principal, said
the school lost virtually all its supplies and equipment. Teacher Jessel
Magdaraog confirmed this, saying: “This area was super devastated by the
typhoon. Lahat ng gamit namin nasira ng bagyo, kahit class records ng mga bata.
Kaya mag-uumpisa kami sa umpisa.” (The typhoon destroyed all our materials,
even our students’ records. We’ll have to start from scratch.)
Together with the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (particularly the Philippine Marines and the Philippine Army) and
the Department of Education, Ayala Foundation visited Dugui 2 Elementary School
on December 18, to provide construction materials, school supplies, and other
in-kind donations.
A total of 102 galvanized iron sheets
were delivered as a replacement for the school’s collapsed roof. Ayala
Foundation and its donors also provided bond paper and printers, as well as
other items such as clothes and essential goods. Among the donors that
contributed to this effort are the Makati Development Corporation, Manila Water
Foundation, Ayala Malls, Integrated Micro Electronics, AC Energy, and other
private donors.
As part of the Ayala group’s Brigada
ng Ayala program, Ayala Foundation is also distributing learning and hygiene
kits for the students at Dugui 2 Elementary School. Brigada ng Ayala is the
Ayala group’s unified, nationwide effort to support public education in the new
normal, by providing hygiene and learning kits for students, access to online
learning materials and solutions for both teachers and students, and WASH
facilities in select locations.
Said Sir Neil: “We can use this for
our classes, kahit modular na… We are really thankful to Ayala Foundation for
the help na ipinadala sa amin.”
Added Teacher Jessel: “We are thankful
to Ayala Foundation for the roofing, na alam kong makakatulong para ma-rebuild
ulit ang aming classroom, at maka-start ulit ng aming journey sa pagututuro.” (I
know that this donation will help us rebuild our classrooms and to restart our
teaching journey.)
As part of the Ayala group’s
continuing disaster relief initiatives, Ayala Foundation and Globe Telecom are
providing “noche buena” packages for 12,000 households in Albay. This is the
Ayala group’s way of bringing some Christmas cheer for as many as 60,000
individuals living in nine of the most severely devastated towns of Albay.
In the aftermath of the series of
typhoons that hit the country in October and November, the Ayala group was
among the first to provide relief to communities that experienced the typhoons’
devastation. Relief activities led by Ayala Foundation reached communities in
Mimaropa, Calabarzon, the Bicol region, and Cagayan Valley.
About Ayala Foundation
As the social development arm of the Ayala
group of companies, Ayala Foundation envisions communities where people are
creative, productive, self-reliant, and proud to be Filipino. Ayala Foundation
is committed to community development, working closely with communities in
identifying compelling developmental needs and providing suitable solutions
with measurable outcomes. Its main program areas are Education, Community
Leadership, Suitable and Sustainable Livelihood, and Arts and Culture.
For more information, visit www.ayalafoundation.org
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