US donates P500K learning materials to Cagayan coastal town

SANTA ANA, Cagayan: To support the continuity of learning in typhoon-affected schools here, the United States (US) government, through the joint efforts of the US Agency for International Development (USAid) and the US Civil Affairs Team, turned over 7,000 educational kits worth P500,000.

(From left) USAid Contracting Officer Howard Weston, US Civil Affairs Team Leader CPT Dereck Wisniewski, USAid Office of Education Deputy Director Yvette Malcioln, and USAid ABC+ project Chief of Party Ina Aquino (extreme right) present U.S. government-donated educational kits to Santa Ana Central Elementary School Principal Mary Grace Gammad and Palaui Elementary School Principal Herminigildo Molina. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

USAid said these educational kits include kindergarten- to grade 3-level books and teaching materials which will benefit 3,000 learners and nearly a hundred teachers in 19 schools in this coastal town that were devastated by typhoons Egay and Falcon earlier this year.

On October 4, Yvette Malcioln, USAid Philippines Office of Education deputy director and Howard Weston, contracting officer, joined members of the US Civil Affairs Team to hand over the donation to Santa Ana Councilor Victoriano Fabro and Department of Education (DepEd) Region 2 Director Dr. Benjamin Paragas. During the handover, Malcioln said more than just paper bound together, these learning materials represent keys to a world of imagination, knowledge and endless possibilities.

«As your enduring friend, partner and ally in development, the United States stands committed to working with the Philippines to equip Filipino learners with the tools they need to succeed. We are investing in the future of the Philippines, one page at a time,» she said.

Civil Affairs Team Leader Cpt. Dereck Wisniewski said their partnership with the local government of Santa Ana has accomplished much in the areas of humanitarian aid, disaster preparedness, medical response and now, education.

«We must continue to adapt and be diligent in ensuring that the US-Philippine partnership remains steadfast and unwavering in the face of global uncertainty,» Wisniewski said.

For the local government of Santa Ana, Fabro thanked USAid