US AMBASSADOR Philip Goldberg sits with students of San Fernando Central School during the turnover of classrooms constructed by the US government as part of its aid commitment to survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” JOEY GABIETA/INQUIRER VISAYAS
TACLOBAN CITY—“We now feel safe here.”
Joyce Saballa, 13 and Grade 6 pupil of San Fernando Central School (SFCS), uttered these words as she took a long look at the eight-classroom building constructed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
US Ambassador Philip Goldberg led the turnover of the school building described as “resilient to disasters like typhoons and earthquakes.”
The building has a 3-meter elevation, a meter higher than the storm surge that hit SFCS during the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) on Nov. 8, 2013.
Goldberg said the construction of the school buildings in Tacloban, considered ground zero of the world’s strongest storm to make landfall, was part of their commitment to help in the rehabilitation efforts as well as to underscore the “important role of education.”
Goldberg, during his 45-minute visit to the school, mingled with the pupils who were in their school uniforms.
“Enjoy the school. Take care of the school. Study hard and be good to your teachers. Salamat,” he told the pupils who looked excited to be with the ambassador.
The US government committed to construct 250 classrooms in Tacloban and 13 towns in Leyte, all hit by Yolanda.
For Tacloban, at least 43 classrooms were committed by the US government.
The construction of the SFCS started July last year and was finished last April.
School principal Imelda Gayas said the new classrooms donated by USAID would mean that they would no longer lack classrooms starting this school year.
“Yolanda turned out to be a big blessing for us here at San Fernando Central School,” she said.