GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF), the foundation arm of media giant GMA Network just inaugurated its typhoon resistant Kapuso Village Integrated School in Tacloban, Leyte.
The Kapuso Village Integrated School is the biggest built by the GMA Kapuso Foundation, meant to benefit the children of survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda who were relocated to government owned acreage, far inland Tacloban.
GMAKF founder and ambassador Mel Tiangco (center) leads the ribbon cutting at the inauguration of the Kapuso Village Integrated School. She is joined by local DepEd officials, school sponsors, Tacloban Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez and GMAKF EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog
Due to the trauma of living through the strongest typhoon in known history, GMAKF, through the donations of millions of Filipinos abroad and at home, wanted to build a sturdy structure that would stand the test of time. The community did its share to secure the future of its youth by donating sweat equity to help finish the school’s construction.
The U-shaped two-storey school features a toilet and lavatory in every classroom. The lower ground comfort rooms are fed by an easy to maintain rainwater catchment system to take advantage of the rainy season. The collected rainwater can also be used for the daily needs of the school like watering plants and cleaning purposes.
Each classroom is bright and airy, complete with blackboards, desk/chairs and two rotary ceiling fans for a learning-conducive environment for the children, complete with water dispensers.
The school is the biggest built by the GMA Kapuso Foundation for the benefit of children of survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda
Around 700 elementary and high school pupils are projected to study in the Kapuso Village Integrated School.
Guests at the inauguration ceremony included representatives from project partners Hanabishi (who provided all the appliances), Mariwasa (who provided all the tiles and ceramic ware in the comfort rooms), Republic Cement (who provided the cement for the school) and Latter-day Saint Charities (who donated 740 brand new student desk/chairs). Rev. Fr. Andres Guban, SVD, officiated the blessing of the classrooms.