MANILA, Philippines - Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) and its donors are stepping up their commitment to the long-term rehabilitation of communities affected by Typhoon Yolanda by making an initial investment of P30 million in sustainable livelihood and education. Efforts are focused on the cities of Sagay and Cadiz, Negros Occidental, Jaro and Dulag, Leyte, and Guiuan, Eastern Samar. In Tacloban, Leyte, AFI will help rebuild schools.
In Sagay, AFI is investing P17.7 million in sustainable livelihood and education. In partnership with Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation’s Peter Project, AFI funded the repair of 47 boats for fishing families in Suyac Island. It will also fund the construction of two disaster resilient schools at the Old Sagay Elementary School. AFI is working with DepEd and Makati Development Corp. for the design and construction of the buildings. Construction will be complete by November 2014.
In Cadiz, P24.4 million worth of sustainable livelihood assistance was provided to families of fishermen and farmers. Sixty new boats were turned over in January. Seeds and fertilizers were also provided to jumpstart agricultural activity in the area, particularly in 200 hectares of devastated farmlands. AFI will advocate organic farming in Cadiz, and provide training for local farmers. Training and organic farming will start by March 2014
AFI will also bring its mobile-based educational intervention, Text2Teach, to five schools each in Sagay and Cadiz. It is implemented by DepEd, Nokia, Globe Telecom, Pearson Foundation, and AFI. Text2Teach provides multimedia education materials in English, Math, Science, and values Education for grade five and six students. It will be rolled out upon completion of the new school buildings by the end of the year.
In Jaro and Dulag, Leyte and Guiuan, Eastern Samar, the Philippine Consulate of Monaco is working with AFI in rebuilding homes and initiating sustainable livelihood activities. Over P6.56 million has been allotted for shelter kits, fishing boats, seeds, and fertilizers.
Together with Globe Telecom, AFI is providing 110 transitional tent classrooms worth P2 million in several Yolanda-affected schools in the Visayas.
Immediately after Typhoon Yolanda hit the country, AFI opened all its donation channels and raised funds for its immediate relief efforts. The foundation partnered with the World Food Program, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Ayala Business Club Cebu to provide food and other necessities for over 10,000 families in Tacloban, Leyte; Cebu City and northern Cebu; and Roxas City, Capiz. More than P5 million was deployed for immediate relief.
To date, AFI has received P44 million in cash donations and P 23.8 million in pledges.
The Ayala group, its employees, partners, and donors, have contributed close to P200 million in cash, services, and goods in aid of communities affected by Typhoon Yolanda. From the immediate task of providing vital services and relief, the conglomerate’s “Bulig Bisaya†initiative is now focused on rebuilding homes and schools, restoring livelihood, and rehabilitating communities to be more resilient.