PALO, Leyte, March 26 (PNA) — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) turned over on Wednesday two school buildings with 14 classrooms in this town, as part of the US government’s assistance to typhoon-weary areas.
The new classrooms inside the Palo I Central school campus is the third school building project completed by USAID in Palo town alone, after the completion of school building construction in the villages of San Jose and San Joaquin.
“The U.S. government and other countries in the world have great determination to rebuild your lives after Yolanda,” said Andrew Holland, USAID supervisory contracting/agreement officer who graced the turn-over ceremony.
Holland added that USAID will continue to give assistance on livelihood, medical, and educational needs of the people in the typhoon-stricken communities.
Melfe Grance Sanchez, school principal of Palo I Central, thanked the USAID officials, local leaders and Department of Education (DepEd) officials in Leyte for realizing their dream.
The new school building is fully equipped with electrical and water facilities and various teaching and learning kits for both the teachers and pupils, she said.
Engr. Carlos Tan, USAID Rebuild Deputy Chief of Party for Infrastructure, informed that they are aiming for more than 250 classrooms to be built until January 2016 in Tacloban City and other towns in Leyte.
The school building project is under the USAID medium term disaster rehabilitation plan.
Tan added that the USAID buildings are storm and earthquake proof and can be suitable as evacuation center in times of disaster.
Earlier, USAID turned over newly rehabilitated and re-stocked sari-sari stores in Tacloban to support the livelihood of people affected by Yolanda. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/RONALD O. REYES/EGR
