6 Eastern Samar towns receive aid from JFPR for classrooms

Six towns in the province of Eastern Samar — whose classrooms had been destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda—received financial aid of $20-M from the Asian Development Bank through the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR). 

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) disclosed that the towns of Balangiga, Balangkayan, Guiuan, Hernani, Quinapondan, and Salcedo are recipients of the financial aid for classrooms. The ADB then had commissioned Plan International to be the consulting company in the construction of the said classrooms and had been designed by the Department of Public Works and Highways — based on the “Build back better” principle of the government.

These classrooms are designed to withstand maximum sustained winds of 250 kilometers per hour just like during the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda. They are also are equipped with ventilation systems, chairs, blackboards, wash basins, a separate comfort room for boys and girls, and a rain water catchment system that will serve as alternative source of water.

According to Neda the Japanese government hopes that after the classrooms had been constructed, the teachers, students, and parents would help in its maintenance so it can still be used by future generations.

This project was also made possible through the help of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.