Seafarers’ group builds school in central Philippines
The Sailors’ Society says the school will benefit over 800 children and will also provide shelter during typhoons
More than a dozen storms hit the Philippines every year, some of which cause extensive destruction of properties and loss of life
A MARITIME charity has teamed up with partners to build a storm-proof school in the Philippines.
The country, which supplies the largest number of seafarers to global shipping, is impacted by more than a dozen significant storms each year.
The Sailors’ Society said it has built a six-classroom school for the seafaring community of Lipayran island in central Philippines.
It was assisted by the TK Foundation, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, the Lipayran local government unit and the education department.
The school will benefit more than 800 children when pandemic-related restrictions are lifted, and it will also provide shelter to Lipayran residents during strong typhoons.
The charity has been assisting local seafaring communities, including rebuilding homes, schools and health centres in the provinces of Cebu, Leyte and Bohol in central Philippines.
Sailors’ Society regional development manager for Asia, Gavin Lim, said the school will provide children with “a safe and comfortable space to learn, as well improve the long-term economic prospects for the community”.