‘Pilipinas Natin’ launched in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines—The “Pilipinas Natin,” a program of the Aquino administration aimed at mobilizing volunteers and students for the repair and rehabilitation of public school buildings damaged by typhoons, was launched on Saturday night at the Dr. Emigio Bondoc Convention Center in San Luis, Pampanga.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. was the guest of honor during the launching of the program.

The program, which also aims to inculcate the spirit of volunteerism in every Filipino, including the youth, and involve them in the government’s nation-building efforts, has also been launched in other provinces across the country.

Some 1,100 volunteers and 2,000 students from Pampanga-based schools and communities from several cities and municipalities in the province, including San Fernando, Angeles, Macabebe and nearby provinces like Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal, Nueva Ecija and Metro Manila were mobilized to repair and rehabilitate typhoon-stricken public school buildings in the area.

Organizers said the two-day refurbishing activity epitomizes the values and mission that the “Pilipinas Natin” program promotes.

Other activities lined up during the event included the “Panata sa Pilipinas Natin” led by Coloma which was followed by various performances by participating youth-oriented groups and organizations.

The launch ceremony took place in partnership between the Pilipinas Natin and the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) for the “iTayo Na! School Rebuilding Challenge.”

“iTayo Na! The School Rebuilding Challenge” focuses on the rehabilitation of public school buildings in the town of San Luis that were ravaged by Typhoon “Pedring.” The town’s school buildings were completely submerged in floodwaters for more than two weeks, destroying classroom facilities, teaching materials as well as school materials of the students.