Brent to help in rebuilding Yolanda-hit schools

MANILA, Philippines - An international school has pledged help in rebuilding two schools in Guian, Eastern Samar  which have been destroyed by supertyphoon Yolanda on Nov. 8,  the Department of Education said on Wednesday.

Brent International School Manila Inc., through DepEd's auspices, will provide financial assistance to rebuild and rehabilitate Guiuan National High School and Lupok Central Elementary School buildings and classrooms in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

BISM, which signed a memorandum of agreement with the Mayor of Guiuan, will spearhead a “Schools for Schools” project which will focus on construction of  cement work, roofing, windows and doors, toilet, water pipes, and electrical systems of the damage schools and classrooms.

Education Secretary  Armin Luistro thanked BISM for being one of the first organizations that responded to DepEd’s reconstruction efforts and call for partnership.

"Guiuan is one of the first municipalities to be hit by Yolanda but the number of casualties has been contained. Structures in the municipality may not be as compact as those in the big cities, but when you have a local government that cares, you can do so much in anticipation and preparedness. It also guarantees many partners who will be willing to help,"  Luistro said.

BISM Headmaster Dick Robbins said he was stirred by a two-minute video posted online showing the devastated imagery of Guiuan NHS and Lupok CES.

"Brent, and all of its partners and friends, is working very hard to get as many classrooms ready in time for the school opening in June," Robbins said.

The Schools for Schools project will also extend to providing educational materials through DepEd, as well as hosting training and workshops to teachers of the recipient schools.

BISM will shoulder the procurement and shipping of construction materials as well as labor fees of workers once the rebuilding project begins.