Sunday, June 08, 2008 Bayanihan spirit alive in typhoon-hit city
SAN CARLOS CITY -- The services of carpenters and laborers in the province, especially in typhoon-affected areas, are in demand.
But labor does not come cheap with construction jobs aplenty after the onslaught of typhoon Cosme. Aside from residential houses, in need of their services are public schools.
The Filipinos' bayanihan spirit is very much alive here as they rebuild the damaged public schools.
Even the San Carlenians abroad, said Mayor Julier Resuello, are exerting effort to help their kabaleyan (town mates).
Majority of the more than 70 public schools here were damaged, of which, five were totally damaged.
The rough estimate of damages made by the school heads is about P60 million. Accordingly, the engineers who assessed the damages estimated it to reach P100 million.
City schools superintendent Rowena Banzon said they were told that the Department of Education (DepEd) national office would give P30 million financial aid. They're still waiting for it to materialize.
The City Government has initially released P1 million for the repair and rehabilitation of the partially damaged schools. The Provincial Government gave P200,000.
Resuello said the barangay residents positively and enthusiastically reacted when they were asked to help rebuild the classrooms, "bayanihan style."
"Then acting San Carlos mayor Joseres Resuello asked the barangay leaders to help the City Government, and that's what they've been doing after Cosme left. They know that all the efforts we are exerting are for the children who are going back to school on June 10," the mayor said.
"It's a big help really. The money saved from the wages of the workers will be used to buy more construction materials," he said.
Resuello said the city provides the roofing and other construction materials, the barangay residents work for free, the barangay officials shoulder the workers' food.
Banzon acknowledged the love and concern of the barangay residents. Accordingly, the barangay officials and tanods (watchmen) work on a round-robin shift. They either work themselves or (for those who are not physically capable) supervise their barangay mates who are working.
"This manifests the good relationship between the school and the community," she stated.
"We're trying our best to accommodate all the pupils this school opening even those at the five heavily affected schools. I cannot tell yet though how many schools will open on June 10," she remarked.
Resuello was in the US when typhoon Cosme struck. Upon their invitation, he graced induction of the San Carlos Association of Southern California and the San Carlos Association of California Inc.
"Their occasions were already over when Cosme hit Pangasinan. Since I was already there, I took the opportunity to seek help from them. In one small gathering, they immediately raised US$1,100. They promised to later send to their collection from their members. I will request that the money will be used in the schools," he said. (LCMY/Sunnex)
