Groups Donate to RAFI for School Construction

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and three donor-partners have entered into an agreement for the construction of a three-classroom school building in Barangay Maya, Daanbantayan town on Friday.

The project is part of the ongoing school rehabilitation program of RAFI and its partner organizations for survivors of super typhoon Yolanda.

The three organizations are the ‘Lets Help Philippines’, the CHRIST Leather fashion and Pesch Family and friends, and the Action Calligaro-Mueller Family and friends, which are setting aside P3.45 million for the project.

RAFI, on the other hand, will prepare the new building’s plans, specifically the integration of disaster resilient features, and oversee construction of the building. RAFI is also expected to spend P517,500 as project management cost.

RAFI has “taken cognizance of the physical damage of hundreds of school buildings in public schools in Northern Cebu brought about by Super Typhoon Yolanda, which now exposes school-going children to physical risks and hazards, and have conducted ocular inspections in the affected schools and have identified their respective repair and rehabilitation needs.”

That is why the foundation has made it its commitment “to extend assistance for the repair and rehabilitation of school buildings damaged by the typhoon, and ensure that the rehabilitated schools follow appropriate building standards to make it resilient to withstand future cyclones and earthquakes.”

Recognizing that education is among the sectors worst hit by the super typhoon, RAFI implemented several programs to address relevant concerns in education, including the School Rehabilitation Program that aims to provide safer and more conducive learning environment for public school children in Cebu province.

Photo above: Signatories of the MOA are (left to right) Romy Ronquillo, RAFI Board of Trustees member; Miranda Konstantinidou of Let’s Help Philippines; Jurgen Pesch of Christ Leather Fashion & Pesch Family and Friends; Christophe Calligaro of Action Calligaro Family and Friends. Acting as witnesses are (standing, left to right) Eva Mueller, Sandra Pesch, and Virginie Senftle. (RAFI Photo)