By Leilani L. Ledesma, MUNICIPAL MONITOR, DFAT

When super typhoon “Yolanda” cut a wide swathe of destruction across Northern Iloilo 2013, the town of Balasan was one of the most affected with all of its 23 barangays suffering from various degrees devastation.

One area that was greatly affected by the calamity was Barangay Batuan. In its elementary school, only one classroom was left with its roof still attached while the others were blown away. Debris was strewn all over.

With no classrooms to conduct their classes, the teachers did not know on how to start again. They began gathering the galvanized iron sheets that were blown away hoping that the next day they will be able to make a room out of these materials.

Batuan Primary school was able to make two makeshift rooms out of the materials that were picked up around the school premises. This served as classrooms for their Grades 1-2 to continue their classes a week after the disaster. For the higher grades, however, a school child has to spend 20.00 to ride a tricycle in order to go to school on the town or at nearby barangay school, Cabalic, for Grade V and VI pupils to complete their elementary education.

In response to the needs of Yolanda affected municipalities, Kalahi-CIDSS came to this town. On the day Bataun barangay officials were called to identify and prioritize their desired need, the lack of school buildings came out as the top problem.  Since the said barangay lacked classrooms, it was listed for funding by the GOA-DFAT.

The newly built three classrooms Australian funded school building will be useful for Grades I to III pupils. Moreover, the school is lucky enough to have availed additional 2 classrooms from Philippine National Red Cross and another 3 classrooms from Department of Education.

Luna Tabarra, a 38-year-old 4Ps beneficiary with eight children and a laborer husband said the P2,100.00 educational assistance helped a long way for their children who are in school. Two of her children, Marlon, 11 and Jonathan, 9, are studying in this school while the three are in Cabalic High School nearby.

“Paagi sa 4Ps nga bulig nahagan-hagan and amon libog sa mga kinahanglanon sa eskuelahan sang amon mga kabataan pareho sang  notebooks, uniforme kag plete (through 4Ps assistance, there is less worry for school needs like  notebooks, uniforms and transportation of our children),” she said.

“Ako nagapasalamat guid sa bag-o nga mga buildings sa diri sa eskuelahan kay nakita ko nga mangin mahapos na sa akon mga kabataan mag Grade V  kag VI kay may ara sila maligwa kag mabakod na  classrooms (I am thankful  for the new school buildings because it will be accessible  to my children later on when they reach Grade V and VI. The new buildings are spacious with concrete classrooms),” she added.

Out of the wreckage, Batuan is moving forward now from a sleepy and uncompetitive barangay. Through the new leadership of the barangay officials in collaboration with different government and non-government organizations like PNRC, DepEd, DSWD, DENR and Save the Children, access to basic services is readily available to the community, knowing that through helping one another they will improve their place.

Unlike before, the school is now getting recognition during sports and academic competitions. Beginning with these eight new classrooms provided to them, the DepEd will soon grant their desire to become an elementary school with complete grades and facilities.

Angel D. Gallardo, 11 years old Grade V pupil said, “Nalipay guid ako ma’am  kay duro na amon classrooms na bag o, mabugnaw, malapad kag mabakod kag name ang CR (I am  very glad ma’am because we have a lot of newly built  school buildings, cool, spacious , cemented with  very nice comfort room.”

Before we squatted on very hot, makeshift classroom with no flooring and water drops fall on us during rainy days.  “Gusto ko guid makatapos sang akon pagtuon kay handum ko mangin engineer agud mabuligan ko akon mga ginikanan kay wala sila katapos eskuela (I want to finish my studies and  to become  an  engineer someday to help my parents who did not finish their schooling.”

Aiming high is the vision of the Punong Barangay, Mr. Dino Morales, 26 years old and newly elected to serve his constituents. He envisions that his barangay will be economically stable and developed after ten years.

“Paagi sa maayo na relation sa mga pumuluyo kag mga lain lain nga ahensya madamo nga proyekto ang maga- abot sa aton tanan diri (Through a good relationship with the residents and the different agencies, a lot of projects  will be given to us),” He said.

Leadership is truly one factor that will guide the community for solidarity and development. Local counterpart and bayanihan system are not difficult for this barangay to provide as long as projects come to them. They have already signed a MOA with the DENR to create an association for Livelihood projects through tree planting, intercropping and selling of seedlings with the 90 hectares that were under the domain of the department. (Kalahi-CIDSS/DSWD)