Intel employees’ P16-M donation builds schools in Leyte

LEYTE, Philippines – “Each day is a better day in Tanauan, Leyte,” Mayor Pel Tecson said when public schools opened in his town on June 1.

Indeed, what could be better than 500 students and teachers finally moving into their newly-built building at the Sto. Niño Elementary School almost two years after it was severely damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)?

The construction was made possible by the donations of some 2,400 employees of the computer company Intel from its offices worldwide.

Worth $375,000 (P15.6 million), the donations – coursed by Intel Foundation through the Department of Education and the Philippine Business for Social Progress – were used to reconstruct 4 school buildings and classrooms, and to replace damaged equipment and educational tools.

Intel Philippines county manager Calum Chisholm explained that the 4 reconstructed buildings, which house 10 classrooms, can withstand typhoons with winds up to 250kph – 25% more than the industry standard of 200kph. They can also withstand up to 3 hours of fire, longer than the conventional one hour.

The school buildings were built one meter above the original ground line to boost its resilience against seismic events, typhoons, and flooding. The school’s rooftops are equipped with solar panels set up by Optimus that are capable of powering school lights and teaching devices. These rooftops can also be used emergency evacuation centers, if needed.

Intel also provided laptops, 2-in-1 laptop/tablet devices, and a content access point for the teachers and students. This contribution, accompanied by training programs for students and teachers, ensures a holistic approach in improving the education of children in Tanauan.

Intel also sent employee volunteers from abroad to provide on-site ICT skills training to the teachers and students during the summer.

“During this difficult time, some people pass through this world and leave it just as they found it. But people like you take the time to do special things that make the world more beautiful. We see hope for rebuilding our school even better than it was before,” Sto. Niño Elementary School principal Marlos Tampuz told the donors.

Nine of Sto. Niño Elementary School’s buildings were wiped out by Yolanda.

“Our children and teachers have been faced with trials and situations that may take a lifetime to deal with and overcome. But as we go along with the healing process, Intel Philippine will remain in our gratitude,” said Mayor Tecson.

“We are all victims, but we have to stop thinking we are victims,” the mayor told students and teachers. “Instead, we have to look at this crisis as an opportunity to renew ourselves, and become a better town. This is why we always say, ‘Each new day is a better day in Tanauan.'” – Rappler.com