GUIUAN, Eastern Samar, May 6 -- Residents of Surok
village in this town are looking forward of having a new school building which
will also serve as evacuation center.
The United States Armed Forces Engineers and
members of the Philippine Army through its Humanitarian Assistance Program of
military exercise Balikatan 33-2017 is now constructing a two-classroom school
building here.
Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales said on Saturday
the building was also designed as evacuation center during emergencies.
“We have so many reasons to be thankful to the US
Armed Forces here and the Philippine Army. The school project in Surok is more
than just providing better learning environment for our students here but
rather ensuring the safety of the children and the community itself in times of
disasters,” Gonzales said.
Surok village chief Gloria Ecleo talked about the
value of education and what it means for their children’s future.
“Education of our children here is the only thing
we have,” she said. “And today was different because we knew that somebody
thought we were that important.”
“We are so grateful for this project this will be
of great help to us here in our village and this will really improve the lives
of our children and also those from nearby villages,” Ecleo said.
Surok village has a population of 1, 487 persons
with 368 households.
Meanwhile, 1st Lt. Martin Meehan, commanding
officer of the US Marines Engineering, Alfa Company said that constructing
schools was part of the PHL-US Balikatan 33-2017 Humanitarian Mission greater
commitment to help restore the village structure destroyed by typhoon
"Yolanda" in 2013.
Meehan lauded the US Marines and the Philippine
Army who joined the said endeavour, saying they would learn from each other,
improve inter-operability among militaries so that they both learn of what to
do and work when future disaster strikes.
(Jazmin Bonifacio/PNA)
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