MANILA, Philippines - BDO Foundation, with contributions from the Philippine Geothermal Production Co. (PGPC) completed and turned over a four-classroom, two-storey building to Baybay Elementary School, Catarman Northern Samar last Sept. 17. The event was graced by officials of the municipal government headed by Mayor Francisco Rosales Jr. and Vice Mayor Christian Emmanuel Uy, and officials from the local Department of Education led by Cristito Eco, CESE, School Division Superintendent and witnessed by Baybay Elementary School officials, teachers, parents and students.
Maureen Abelardo, president of BDO Foundation with Catarman branch head Dennis Mascariñas turned over the classroom keys to school principal Iluminada Capales, who received the donation. This marked the successful implementation of BDO Foundation’s rehabilitation program for typhoon Yolanda affected areas.
The building was built of prefabricated materials designed to withstand 250 kph wind velocity and safe from cracks during an earthquake. It is fully furnished with armchairs handcrafted by persons with disabilities from the Foundation from These-Abled Persons, Inc (FTI), panoramic blackboards, electric fans and teachers’ tables and chairs to ensure a complete, sound and healthy learning environment for Baybay school children.
Aside from this school building, BDO Foundation has other on-going infrastructure projects: school buildings, rural health and community centers in various areas ravaged by the super typhoon and a permanent housing resettlement to help rebuild and normalize the lives of disaster affected communities that BDO serves.