Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon said the education of the youth is the highest priority, as he directed PRC’s disaster management staff to send materials for the restoration of Burdeos National High School, which was badly damaged when Super Typhoon Karding made landfall in Burdeos on September 25.

Following PRC assessment teams’ report on Burdeos, PRC disaster management staff and volunteers delivered 150 CGI sheets and 10 plain sheets to the school on October 3, which the residents immediately installed. The community provided shelter tools and labor as its counterpart. 

“The education of our youth must not be allowed to wait because of any delay in the restoration of school facilities, especially in isolated areas in islands facing the Pacific Ocean,” Gordon elaborated.

Gordon reported that the school principal and other local stakeholders in Burdeos expressed appreciation for the foremost humanitarian organization’s timely response. “Lubos po ang aming pasasalamat sa agarang pagtugon ng Philippine Red Cross. Sa ngalan po ng mga guro at mga estudyante, aming pinaaabot ang taos-pusong pasasalamat kay Chairman Richard Gordon,” says Burdeos National High School principal, Ms. Marnita Banderada.

“Mabilis pong nakarating ang hinihingi naming yero, upang mapalitan itong aming bubungan, upang maayos po ang pag-aaral ng mga bata at ang pagtuturo ng mga guro, maging komportable po sila,” says Teacher Vanessa Avenilla.

Burdeos is one of the three municipalities comprising Polillo Island, which is prone to bear the brunt of tropical cyclones. The PRC assessment team reached Burdeos on September 28, three days after Karding made landfall. They continue to assess damage and needs in the town to provide relevant aid.