“I was so impressed with the warmth and generosity of everyone concerned that Genus increased its donation to a much higher level than was promised,” said Richard Wood, Genus Chief Executive.

Together with the additional support from mother company Genus in the UK and sister company ABS Australia, PIC Philippines was able to raise close to PhP1.4 million in cash plus boxes of clothing, food supplies and toys which were used first to assist the families of affected employees get their lives back to normal. As PIC was able to help employees get past the immediate effects of the disaster, the company then embarked on a initiative to utilise the remaining fund to launch a “Save a School Programme”.

“While many have opted to help fund operations that distribute relief goods, we have seen an opportunity to help typhoon victims by creating a project that will have a longer impact,” shared Dr Angel Manabat, Technical Services Manager, who spearheads the project. The “Save a School Programme” is aimed to aid thousands of students in public schools around the disaster area by improving the condition of classrooms and facilities of the schools which were mostly used as evacuation centers. Until recently, some schools continued to house evacuees, forcing teachers to hold classes along corridors and whatever available space they could find. The schools are dire need of repair and rehabilitation to bring them back to condition and make them again conducive to teaching and learning.

The programme kicked off last 19 December at the Nerio R. Joaquin National Highschool, home to 1,200 students in Biñan, Laguna. A group of PIC employees, headed by General Manager Vino Borromeo, trooped to the school bringing pails of paint, lumber and school supplies. The same assistance was extended to Dr Marcelino Z. Batista Memorial School, another school in Laguna, where 900 students are temporarily crammed in makeshift classrooms.

“We are very grateful to have received a global response to our relief effort for the typhoon victims, and we are happy to put this to good use by sharing it with those who need it most,” disclosed Mr Borromeo.

Next in line, according to Dr Manabat, is the De La Paz National High School. Water in the school subsided only last December and relief efforts are now in the pipeline to be carried out soon.