Leyte quake affected educators, learners receive aid from CitySavings
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EXTENDING A HELPING HAND: Team members of CitySavings Ormoc Branch spearhead the relief operations at Cabaon-an Elementary School, Ormoc City.
City Savings Bank (CitySavings) recently launched relief operations at Kananga and Ormoc City, Leyte following the 6.5 magnitude earthquake that affected the province earlier this July.
A total of 235 beneficiaries composed of public school teachers, students, and their respective families received food and hygiene kits from the bank distributed at various public schools namely: Cabaon-an Elementary School, Pedro Banez National High School, Milagro Elementary School, Gaas Elementary School, and Tongonan Elementary School in Ormoc City, as well as Lim-ao Elementary School, Lim-ao National High School, Tongonan Elementary School, and San Ignacio Elementary School in Kananga, Leyte, last July 19 and 20.
The calamity resulted to not only physical damage but affected the situation of several educators and learners in the province. Cabaon-an Elementary School Principal Annabelle Wenceslao recalled her feeling of hopelessness during that challenging time, “The aftermath of the earthquake tested my capacity as school head to build a community filled with hope, love, and compassion towards my teachers and students who were greatly affected” she shared.
“When help arrived from CitySavings to augment our daily needs, I felt happy as I saw the faces of my teachers and students brighten up. What the bank did is more than just about the business. They gave hope to us and to our community. Thank you so much CitySavings for touching our lives. Indeed in simplicity, there is goodness” Wenceslao added.
Despite the damages sustained by Lim-ao National High School, Principal Principal Nelson Payot remained optimistic, “We would like to thank CitySavings for being the first to respond to our needs. Your simple way of extending help and comforting our teachers through the donations and your personal visit is a gesture that we will cherish”.
“The donation was of great help to my family particularly the two gallons of water and food items” mentioned Bernadette Peteros, a public school teacher of Cabaon-an Elementary School.
According to the local government of Ormoc City, an estimate of 683 affected families are still staying at evacuation centers and are in need of further help particularly food and potable water.
Looking after the welfare of our Filipino public school teachers remains at the forefront of our education related Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives together with the Department of Education (DepEd). This is part of our commitment to help create a better learning environment and consequently fulfill our purpose to drive change for a better world.