US Ambassador Goldberg turns over building to Yolanda-destroyed school

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — US Ambassador Philip Goldberg turned over on Friday a 2-story-10-classroom building to the Palo National High School, one of the schools gravely affected by super typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2013.

Each of the 10 classrooms is equipped with blackboard and desks necessary for conducive learning of the students.

The typhoon and earthquake-resistant building was built under the auspices of the United States Agency for International Development, which is part of the US government’s $143-million post-Yolanda commitment to restore the survivors’ access to education, health services and livelihood sources in the devastated areas.

Goldberg reiterated his admiration on the survivors’ resiliency and ability to recover, which he said, “deserve great deal of credit.” He said the US government will not stop extending help to the Philippines as a sign of solidarity and friendship between the two nations.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla thanked the US government’s sincerity and support for the provincial government of Leyte, which has been a recipient of assistance, through the USAID.

The USAID Rebuild later handed over teaching materials to the administration of the Palo National High School and audio-visual equipment and kit to its student government.

Goldberg was also the keynote speaker of the Training of Trainers (ToT) Program held at Bethel International school in Palo.

The US Embassy-Manila, in cooperation with the Asian Soccer Academy Foundation, local government units, and the Depatment of Education, sponsored the two six-month ToT sports-based capacity building programs in Tacloban City and Iligan City.

Each program, in a media advisory provided by USAID Rebuild, involved 100 students and 20 local teachers and coaches.  (FREEMAN)