DepEd inks P7.3M deal to rebuild schools in Tacloban

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) has signed an agreement with two private entities to adopt and rebuild public schools in Tacloban City, one of the hardest hit by supertyphoon Yolanda in November last year.

The DepEd, Mondelēz Philippines, and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) signed a memorandum of agreement last April 27 for the “adoption” of the Panalaron Elementary School in Tacloban City.

The project, which costs approximately P7.3 million, aims to repair damaged school buildings, construct libraries, and conduct a 180-day feeding program as well as provide psychosocial therapy and debriefing for teachers.

Education Undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages Mario Deriquito lauded the PBSP for being their "most durable partner" and also thanked Mondelēz International for "partnering with DepEd again."

Mondelez Philippines had partnered with DepEd last February and donated 2,000 recycled school chairs for 20 schools in Tacloban.

The project will be implemented through the DepEd’s Adopt-A-School Program, which links DepEd to other organizations and partners to help accomplish the basic inputs in education --  classrooms, books, school seats among others.

Mondelēz Philippines General Manager Sudip Mall said that their goal has always been "to bring joy to the lives of children."

"In Tacloban and other Yolanda-hit areas, we wish to create the same joy in the schools and the community around it. Children had gone through tragedies; it is now time for them to feel triumph. And so we want to create little moments of joy to the lives of students," Mall said.

PBSP executive director Rafael Lopa commended the company for the establishment of the Joy School Program.

"The approach and strategy of the ‘Joy School Program’ is something we desire to do with other educational programs. We hope we can scale up with our other partners as well," he said.

The three parties expect the project to be implemented by July this year at Panalaron Elementary School.