Keeping The Hope Alive

Barangay Captain Pader donates his rice paddies for children's education.  Captain Arnaldo Pader, 62, shares his hopes for the children of his barangay “‘The youth is the hope of our nation,’ as the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal said. But that shall not happen if the youth are not guided and educated. Unfortunately, because of limited finances, families cannot support their children’s education," Arnaldo Pader, barangay captain in Samar, says. Reaching grade three, Barangay Captain Pader knows from experience how limited opportunities are if you lack the education. "Since I was not able to graduate in elementary, I want the children to finish theirs." With that in mind, he strived for their barangay to have their own school. He approached different government offices and individuals for support. After years of persistent requests, in 2002 their school was finally completed. “I was very happy that our school was completed. I hope my dream and the parent's  dream for our children will be realised," Pader says.  Unyielding Spirit But in 2013, Pader’s dream seemed to fated to be crushed. Being only a few meters away from the shoreline, the school was left irreparable by typhoon Haiyan. The roofs were blown away and the walls were torn down. Unyielding, with the support of the whole barangay and the school, he found ways to re-establish the education system. They used the chapel as a classroom and sought funds to build temporary learning spaces. When the DSWD and DepEd, together with Plan International Philippines, identified their village to receive funding support under the grant received from the government of Japan through ADB’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, he could not contain his joy and gratitude. Through the grant, children shall have five new disaster-resilient classrooms. Moved by the opportunity for them and aware that the school still needed to be relocated, he decided to donate his rice paddies to be the new relocation site of the school. “I am doing this for the children and the future of our village," Pader says.  Government partners, ADB representative and Plan International celebrate with teachers and students during the inauguration of the new school site  (L to R: Ma. Jocelyn Salazar of DepEdSamar Division: Rochel School Head; Dr. Gorgonio Diaz, DepEd Samar Division Superintendent; Jill Uyvico, Regional Coordinator of NEDA; Dindo Mengote Representative of ADB; Charisma President of the Student Pupil Government; Arnaldo Pader, Barangay Captain; Mayor Junji Ponferrada of Local Government Unit and Engr. Jereme Baliquia of Plan International Philippines) Better Access to Education and Brighter Future With the newly relocated and disaster-resilient school, children have better access to education and to a brighter future. “Now, we that we have transferred to our new school site, we promise to love our school and study better,” Charisma, 11, Student Pupil Government President shares in behalf of her fellow students. With Pader’s dream of better access to education realised, he continues to dream, “I don’t want the children to settle with how things are. I hope they will become professionals. Maybe one of them will become a mayor, a lawyer or a principal." Pader, together with the community including the children, keeps the hope for a brighter future alive. Follow Plan International Philippines at:

Should you have any suggestions and stories to share, feel free to contact Karen.Alcober@plan-international.org

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Plan Int'l / ADB-JFPR A2 Bi-monthly Newsletter

first of a series of emails sharing stories and good news under the ADB-JFPR A2 with Department of Social Welfare and Development as lead implementing agency and Plan International as implementing partner.

Asian Development Bank- Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction A2: Access to Emergency Employment and Livelihood Support Dear development partners, After the onslaught of Yolanda in 2013, the government of Japan extendedgrant assistance Grant 9175-PH to the Philippine government through the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction Fund (JFPR) managed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Entitled “Emergency Assistance and Early Recovery for Poor Municipalities Affected by Typhoon Yolanda,” the grant has six sub-components. Sub-component A2, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as lead implementing agency and Plan International as implementing partner, is committed to the following: Since the start of the sub-component A2, we've been inspired by stories of hope and resilience from our communities. Through series of emails, we commit to also share with you these stories--stories which will not only bring a smile to our hearts but will remind us that together we are Building Back Better.

'I Have a Dream' “I wish that my fellow students will study harder to achieve their dreams,” shares Christian (13).

“I wish that my fellow students will study harder to achieve their dreams for themselves and their families,” shares Christian (13), grade six student and president of a Supreme Pupil Government Organization (SPG). Christian's dream, when elected SPG president was simple. He wanted his fellow students to be excited to study harder. Because when the typhoon Haiyan hit their school, it left most of their classrooms roofless and their books, tables and chairs destroyed. “Two days after typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), I went to school and was saddened to see the roofs blown away and our books soaking wet and destroyed.” When classes resumed in January 2015, teaching and learning conditions were still difficult for both the students and the teachers. Damage caused by the typhoon limited the number of available classrooms. Grade sections had to be combined, leading to crowded classrooms and additional teaching and learning challenges. Three newly constructed classrooms students are using since December 2015. Committed to promote quality education for all through rehabilitation and refurnishing of disaster resilient schools for the re-establishment of the education system, JFPR through ADB, DSWD and Department of Education, with Plan International as the implementing partner, identified the construction of three new classrooms of his school. The new classrooms were designed with ramps for Persons with Disabilities and separate toilets for boys and girls. When Christian and his classmates discovered this, they were excited. Christian was even more excited when he was given the special task to colour the weather chart, which serves as a reference to see the weather conditions through-out the construction. Each day, he would check if it was raining or sunny and use crayons to colour the weather chart. On December 8, 2015, three new classrooms, pre-assigned to grade 1, 5 and 6 sections, were turned-over to their school. “Some students were too excited to enter their new classrooms, some students would innocently push each other into the room,” he candidly shares. Today, a little over two months since the turn-over, students are still eager to go to school every day. “Because of the new classrooms, we are more excited to go to school and feel more comfortable in class. I think our teachers are also more excited to teach us. Now, each classroom has two toilets—one for boys and another for girls.” At the start of the academic year, Christian's wishes were simple—that his fellow students would study harder to achieve their dreams. Now, with their new classrooms, his dreams are coming true little by little--not only by the current student population but for the next generations to come. Should you have any suggestions and stories to share, feel free to contact Karen.Alcober@plan-international.org

'via Blog this'

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Color Matters: Colors Matter

Have a look at the following classrooms and let's talk about colors!

At Tugbong Central School in Kananga, Leyte:
Dark-green window grills; green door/window jambs; aquamarine baseline paint!

light-green wall, dark-green cabinet; green baseline-paint, mouldings, jambs;
aquamarine blackboard frame

At Cacao Elementary School also in Kananga, Leyte:

Classroom on the left has light-yellow walls with dark-yellow (well, almostbrown) mouldings, with yellow cabinets, but with a green window frame!
  Classroom on the right (an adjacent room with that one on the left) has
greens and light-greens like it is at Tugbong ES. But with red electric fans!

At San Isidro Elementary School in Hernani, Eastern Samar:

Dark Green baseline paint. Nice! But they made the railing also dark green instead of the usual "stainless"
  

Different shades of green inside classroom!

At Calsadahay Elementary School in Burauen, Leyte:
  
Its a combination of greens and yellows, but notice the baseline paint and the grills - brown! 

At Garawon Elementary School, Hernani Eastern Samar:
  Its generally the same as above, without the yellows and browns!

At Salvacion Elementary School in Dulag, Leyte: the yellows prevail!
 

Seeing the increasing number of these classrooms done under the ADB JFPR Grant 9175 fund, with what seemed like randomly selected interior colors, I approached Vince the supervising engineer (Engr. Vince Cabaluna), with my little observation. And I said: "I actually like the look and feel inside these classrooms (Salvacion Elementary School's newly built 4 classrooms), they're airy bright, even if I imagine there are 40 to 50 pupils. But why is it different in every school we have turned over? Don't we have a uniform plan on this? Don't contractors get enough paint prior to constructing these classrooms?"

The crisp answer was "ilaha man na choice, sir (that was their choice, sir)" - as he pointed to the kids.

Me: I see. When did this happen?

Vince: Just before the paint job. The CDF (community dev't facilitator) with the help of teachers gathered all classes identified to occupy these rooms. Then they conducted something like a playshop until the kids were already in the mood for an artwork activity.

Me: All four sections? Including the little ones to occupy that room at the end?

Vince: Yes. The kindergarten pupils really did identify what colors they want! They would even have their own little debates before agreeing on a color!

Me: How was the matter opened to them?

Vince: The kids were told 'if they had to choose the colors of their new classrooms, what would those colors be'? Then they were presented some 30 color patches and combinations, together with presenting them what parts of the entire room needed a color.

Me: Interesting! But, won't the DepEd scold us for this?

Vince: No. We already asked the regional offices and they told us, the donor may choose their colors, so that it'll be easy for them and DepEd to remember who gave what.

Me: Thanks. Now this is really building back better. You, our implementing partners considering the needs and wants of the direct beneficiaries themselves, that's superb.


Thus went my long curious conversation with Engr, Vince. He promised they'll ensure I witness first-hand the next "coloring session"!

Dear readers, this may seem trivial to many of us. But, imagine this: wouldn't you want to choose the colors inside your bedroom? Or even your entire house? A classroom is where these kids live for the greater part of their waking hours. So they better have a hand on how it should look and feel! It is their right, I think. And good that Plan International recognizes that! Color does matter in building back better - happier!

Alright folks, I'll let you in on my story once I get to witness the next "coloring session"!
Abangan...

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A New Building for Salvacion Elementary School

28NOV2015. A beautiful day to remember for the pupils, teachers and parents of Salvacion Elementary School in Dulag Leyte, even for the DepEd Regional Director of Region 8.

A new building, consisting of 4 classrooms was handed over today by the ADB JFPR Grant 9175 and their implementing partner Plan International. This was in response to the sorry state of all buildings in the school after typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan - the very school where a young new teacher Ma. Luisa Bautista (now RD Ma. Luisa Bautista Yu), started her teaching career!

The ceremony started with a holy mass and blessing of the rooms where the priest in his homily said "this is a very good new year's gift as tomorrow is the first day of the liturgical year (advent)". A parent whispered, that the light shower that occurred as the building was being blessed, was a real blessing from heaven!

The DepEd Regional Director for Region VIII, who was earlier too eager and excited for this hand over ceremony, was unfortunately unable to attend due to urgent official exigencies elsewhere in the country. But she was as excitedly and ably represented by her officials, R8 Planning Officer Rita Dimakiling who delivered RD Yu's message; while Leyte Division School Supt Ronelo Firmo and Dulag South Principal-In-Charge Lea Robin took turns at thanking the donors and encouraging parents and children to make good use of the new building by sending all children to school, and taking care of the rooms when used as evacuation center.

   

Salvacion ES kids performed their unique way of saying "Salamat" to the donors!

Interestingly, this ceremony was so actively participated in by the school's PTA and Alumni Association who were already all over the place early in the morning, helping the teachers, kids and Plan International's CDF Jayson Laurente prepare for the joyous event. Both organizations even voluntarily prepared food for everyone who attended the ceremony!

More photos of the event at our

ADB Typhoon Yolanda Response FB Page

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Calsadahay Elementary School Has A New Building Too!

21NOV2015. Still in Burauen, done with San Pablo Elementary School turnover, (it had to be!), the group of ADB JFPR folks, DepEd Regional Officals, LGU representatives, NEDA and Plan Inernational staff braved the heavy rains trooping kilometers more to the hinters for another ceremony, this time at the Calsadahay Elementary School!
This new building, also funded by the ADB JFPR Grant 9175 is a single-classroom unit that sits in the middle of other buildings old and new. But, as parents and teachers say, it has become the "center of cuteness overload" due to occupants being the youngest citizens in the entire school populace - Kindergarten!

When asked what they think about their new classroom, one of the little tykes smilingly said "maupay, mayada tiles, baga hin balay" {beautiful, with tiled floor, it feels like a home}! Another said "diri kinahanglan mag-hagdan" {no need to use the stairs} - referring to the PWD ramp that their little feet can merrily amble up and down their classroom. Teachers and parents are grateful we built an elevated classroom as the area is flood prone.

Guests were merrily surprised and could not help but grab their cameras when the little ones went up stage and altogether recited a "siday" (short poem) that goes something like this...
Maupay nga kulop mga bisita
Nagpapasalamat kami han iyo suporta
Amon pagkakaptan, ngan diri hingangalimtan
Aton eskuylahan hingyap para han ngatanan
Rough translation:
Good afternoon visitors
We thank you for your support
We will uphold, and never forget
Our school, a dream for everyone

We agree with the parents and teachers.., "cuteness overload"!

More images from this event at the

ADB Yolanda Response Facebook Page

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New Building at San Pablo Elementary School (Burauen)

21NOV2015. It's an additional new building to an almost-totally-devastated elementary school in Burauen, Leyte. That is the San Pablo Elementary School in Brgy. San Pablo.

Funded under the ADB JFPR Grant 9175, we just formally handed it over this morning, in ceremonies attended by the school's pupils, teachers and parents, barangay officials/residents, even the DepEd Assistant Regional Director for Eastern Visayas and NEDA 8!

What started as a bright sunny morning while the school busily prepared for the 'event'... turned into a rainy day ceremony, under a makeshift classroom (INGO-donated tent from 2 years ago) that was leaking here and there, so that everyone had to cram themselves into the few non-leaking portions of the place, or umbrellas big and small.

But no rain could stop the happy occasion! Everything went on amidst the drizzle - with performances not only from/of/by the children, but even the teachers who did a lovely folk dance number, and the parents who regaled everyone w/ a modernistic dance!

The pupils of San Pablo Elementary School even made personalized "thank you cards" that they dedicated and personally handed over to ADB JFPR and Plan International representatives.

More pictures at our ADB Yolanda Response facebook page!

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Rappler: 2 years after Yolanda: Learning from disaster

Here's news from Rappler.com: and we Quote

A robust system to monitor progress is needed to enable effective communication about recovery. Without it, conflicting messages and directions can lead to confusion rather than clarity.

Richard Bolt

Published 3:00 PM, November 07, 2015

Updated 3:00 PM, November 07, 2015

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Two years after Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) made landfall in the Philippines, recovery and reconstruction are well underway. We have learned many lessons – and are still learning – from the Yolanda response, and from how other countries have handled post-disaster recovery.

These valuable insights can help decision-makers tasked with implementing recovery to address emerging issues and strengthen resilience to future disasters – especially at a time of rising disaster risk and increasingly frequent extreme weather events. Through monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge sharing, these policies and practices can be altered as necessary to fit changing circumstances.

A key to coping with the aftermath of a disaster the scale of Yolanda is to draw on the knowledge and experience from within the Philippines and from other countries – in this region and beyond – which have had to respond to disasters.

This was an overriding message from the recent Regional Knowledge Forum on Post-Disaster Recovery hosted by the Asian Development Bank. Despite differences in institutions, budgetary resources, and the nature of disasters faced, there are common elements to each and every recovery process.

These comparisons help to put our own post-Yolanda experience in perspective. In Indonesia, following the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, efficient relief operations helped to elevate expectations – ironically creating the potential for dissatisfaction when transitioning to the recovery phase.

Heru Presetyo of Indonesia’s BRR Institute, the agency tasked with rehabilitation and reconstruction, told the post-disaster recovery forum that: "Year two [after the event] is the most difficult. This is the year when expectations are high and recovery is slow."

Clearly, managing expectations is crucial. This can be done through effective communications, which should be consistent, comprehensive, and coordinated. A robust system to monitor progress is needed to enable effective communication about recovery. Without it, conflicting messages and directions can lead to confusion rather than clarity.

The second takeaway from post-disaster recoveries is that inadequate local capacity is common to almost all of them. Large-scale disasters can easily overwhelm local authorities. From damage assessment and recovery planning to implementation and monitoring, local government units may lack the technical and financial capacity to even make a successful start to the recovery process.

Technical assistance

Even large jurisdictions with plentiful resources often find it challenging to cope with the devastation wrought by a large-scale disaster. At our post-disaster recovery forum, the experience was compared by Scott Davis, who was involved in the rebuilding from Hurricane Sandy in 2012, to drinking from a fire hose when you’re at your weakest and with a thousand rules for how to do it.

Delivering well-targeted abundant technical assistance that addresses capacity needs will help matters, particularly if it creates a cadre of local experts capable of rebuilding lives, buildings and institutions with no effort spared.

Empowering local authorities is crucial, as reconstruction can’t be piecemeal. Schools, hospitals, and livelihoods must be re-established to new standards of resilience. Jobless survivors need to be taught new skills – like how to turn an idea into a small business. Indeed, businesses need extra support on issues like accessing finance to re-establish markets and supply chains when disaster strikes.

REBUILDING. Carpenters build new classrooms at the Bislig Elementary School in Tanauan, Leyte. Photo by Ariel Javellana/ADB

A third lesson is that business as usual isn’t enough when results are needed quickly on the ground after a disaster. Instead, efficient implementation should prioritize simple project designs and procurement processes, streamlined disbursements of financial assistance, and capable partners to implement project activities. Making this happen demands strong leadership, effective coordination, and the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and needs during implementation.

Pre-existing policy problems are exposed and amplified by disaster. But this can be an opportunity to address these issues and build back better in terms of policy. Some particularly challenging policies in a recovery setting are demarcation of no-build zones in hazard prone areas and involuntary settlements, and low-cost financing for housing and livelihoods to help households and small businesses recover.

Accumulating and sharing knowledge gained during recovery on these and other issues will inform better policies that can become building blocks of future resilience.

IN SCHOOL. Students attend class inside the new classrooms at the Bislig Elementary School in Tanauan, Leyte. Photo by Ariel Javellana/ADB

Finally, the most important lesson of all is to deliver support quickly, and in a way that strengthens – not weakens – government institutions. The importance of coordinating closely with the government cannot be overstated. Development partners like ADB should take their cues from the government, aligning their financing assistance with its assessments and recovery plans.

Yolanda – like all large-scale disasters – was a tragedy, but it was also a learning opportunity to do better moving ahead. By heeding lessons now, we can save lives and improve living standards and livelihoods in the future.

Richard Bolt is the director of ADB’s Philippines Country Office

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