It was a few days before the onslaught of Super Typhoon Ruby that we found ourselves in the province of Aklan to be part of the groundbreaking ceremony of the Globe Platinum Noah's Ark project in the town of Balete. The event was attended by Globe Telecom and Habitat for Humanity executives as well as Aklan Provincial and Balete Municipal government officials, the local press, and the students and teachers of Balete Elementary School.
Globe Telecom is the Development Sponsor for Aklan, one of the 14 provinces which were severely damaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan when it hit the Philippines in 2013. Globe supports the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR), which was created to supervise the efforts in the devastated sites.
In behalf of Governor Florencio Miraflores, Vice Gov. Gabrielle Calizo–Quimpo, a native of Balete, welcomed not only the guests but also the whole project in Aklan and added that the Balete Elementary School is “very lucky” to be the recipient of this Noah's Ark classroom project
After Typhoon Yolanda, Aklan has incurred almost PhP3 billion losses in infrastructure and agriculture which left a significant number of its residents not only homeless but without any livelihood to support themselves. Schools and health facilities were also destroyed. Through the project "Bulig 4 Aklan," Globe has committed to provide education, housing, health, and livelihood assistance to seven affected towns, namely: Libacao, Madalag, Banga, Batan, Altavas, Balete, New Washington.
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| “One year is too short for recovery but we will try to find ways to make our assistance meaningful the the Akeanons” |
"Globe has long been committed to nation-building and to help our countrymen get back on their feet when disaster strikes" said Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President, Globe Corporate Communications. "Adopting Aklan is our response to the government's call for private sector participation in the comprehensive plan to rehabilitate the country after Typhoon Haiyan" (Also read about Globe Telecom's Project 1Phone)
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| Globe Platinum isn't just in terms of providing the best possible telecommunications and customer care to their valued clients hence , it is also geared towards uplifting the society. |
Most of the the funding came from Globe Platinum, the country’s premiere postpaid plan which offers customers worry-free connectivity, world-class servicing, top of the line gadgets, and exclusive perks and privileges. “We are glad we are helping you in the field of education,” said Kaisie Del Carmen, Head of Globe Platinum Services . "Instead of putting its funds elsewhere, Globe Platinum decided to donate to typhoon-affected areas"
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| Habitat for Humanity-Philippines CEO and Managing Director, Charlie Ayco |
The first phase involves the construction of seven "Noah's Ark"-type classrooms that double as evacuation structures during calamities as they are equipped with three toilet and bath facilities as well as a kitchen. One such structure will be built in each of the seven identified municipalities.
We had a chance of visiting an almost finished Noah's Ark classroom in New Washington Elementary School.
The “Noah’s Ark classroom” is bigger than the DepEd standard room and is multipurpose classroom as it will also serve as an evacuation center when the need arises.
It will be equipped with three toilet-and-bath facilities and kitchen for both the students and evacuees in case of disaster.
Designed to withstand winds of up to 250 kilometers per hour, Noah's Ark -type of classrooms in these seven towns of Aklan, Globe is looking for disaster resiliency for this project.
With some of funding taken from the company’s e-waste recycling program dubbed as Project 1 Phone, as well as from the parent company Ayala Corporation, Globe Telecom's Noah’s Ark Project will be able to give the gift of hope and inspiration to more Filipinos, apt for this Christmas season.
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On a sidenote, Globe has started building 20 homes in New Washington in partnership with Gawad Kalinga and UT Global Foundation while 20 more are in the pipeline.
Twenty-eight houses are also set to be constructed in Libacao on top of the 600 shelter kits to be distributed in the municipality before yearend. Earlier, Globe gave out 940 shelter kits in Madalag.
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