By Elmer V. Recuerdo | Correspondent
THE United States Agency for International Development (USAID) turned over 24 classrooms to four public schools in different municipalities of Leyte, bringing to 253 classrooms the agency has donated as part of reconstruction in areas affected by Supertyphoon Yolanda (international code name Haiyan).
Erica Rounsefell, deputy chief of US Embassy Manila’s USAID Office of Education, led the inauguration ceremonies of 24 new classrooms in Dagami South Central School (SCS) in the municipality of Dagami; San Joaquin National High School in Palo; Alegria National High School in Julita town; and Salvador Elementary School in Tanauan, all in Leyte.
In the ceremony held at the Dagami SCS, Rounsefell was joined by Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and the four principals from the beneficiary-schools.
“The priority we give to building classrooms underlines the important role of education in reducing poverty,” Rousenfell said during her speech. “It reaffirms our conviction that education is a basic human right to which everyone should have access.”
She commended the dedication of teachers, school administrators, parents and students to learn despite natural disasters, such as Yolanda.
Nida Tondo, principal at Dagami SCS, said the construction of a seven-room, one-story elevated building will ease the problem of its 685 pupils, especially during rainy seasons, because the school is on a flood-prone area. She said flood water during Typhoon Senyang (international code name Jangmi) in December 2014 went almost two-meters high.
Petilla thanked the American government for helping Leyte recover from the devastation of Yolanda. He said the modest 3.9-percent growth in the local economy recorded last year would not be possible without the help of donor-countries like the US.
Rousenfell also visited the other school sites, unveiling the project marker for each site. The 24 classrooms were constructed with climate-resilient construction techniques to provide safe and conducive learning environments for almost 1,800 students from the beneficiary schools.
They are part of the US government’s nearly $143-million assistance to help typhoon survivors build back better after the catastrophe. Across the Yolanda-affected areas, the USAID is constructing 310 classrooms, 30 agri-fishery support facilities 12 health facilities and 1,029 sari-sari stores.
The USAID is also restoring livelihood activities through the provision of equipment and training to 3,215 farmers; 6,920 fishermen; and 1,417 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs.