GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/16 November) — The Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 12 has directed local schools to hold their upcoming Christmas celebrations in subdued but meaningful manner to commiserate with residents in areas that were devastated by the onslaught of super typhoon “Yolanda.”
Dr. Allan Farnazo, DepEd Region 12 director, said Friday he issued a memorandum enjoining schools in the region to instead focus their celebration on activities that would help raise more assistance for typhoon survivors in parts of the Visayas region.
“Instead of planning lavish Christmas parties, it’s just proper for us to set them aside and think of ways on how to extend our help to the suffering folk there,” he said in a radio interview.
Earlier this week, the official said they launched a region-wide fund-raising and relief campaign for typhoon “Yolanda” survivors, especially those in Eastern Visayas.
Region 12, which is also known as the Soccksargen Region, covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
Dubbed “Piso Mula sa Puso,” he said they urged public schools in the area to gather relief donations in any amount and form from students and other local stakeholders.
Under the scheme, the donations will initially be gathered by local schools and eventually collected by DepEd division offices, he said.
Farnazo said the regional office will take charge in the processing and delivery of the relief donations to the beneficiaries.
The official pointed out that the relief drive is aimed at instilling among students the value of giving or extending help to people who are in need.
“This is not compulsory but we will enjoin all our students, teachers and even parents to participate,” he said.
The official said the delivery of the donations will be made by batches until the culmination of the relief drive before the Christmas break next month.
He added that they are targeting to deliver by next week the initial batch of the relief donations, which would be classified and packed first by their personnel and some volunteers. (MindaNews)