It has been more than a year since Typhoon Yolanda struck the beautiful island of Coron, Palawan. The survivors worked their way to move forward from the memories of ruthlessness and despair the typhoon brought to start their lives anew. After several months, the municipality’s tourism industry was active again. The tourists flocked the island once more and the business establishments were back in raking profits.
But while the locals started to earn a living, the students felt out as they had no means of going back to school. Coron is an island municipality so the kids need to cross the West Philippine Sea to get to schools. But the boats and balsas that take them to their schools on island barangays were destroyed. They were missing out on their classes.
The students in Coron were given hope when eight “school boats” were delivered to their communities. St. Therese’s College of Quezon City Alumnae Association (STCQCAA) sponsored the boats named Bangka ni Teresa to 90 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program student beneficiaries. These students were from barangays Malawig, Borac, Lajala, Cabugao, San Nicolas, Turda, and Tara.
Through the partnership of Pantawid Pamilya’s National Advisory Council (NAC) with different groups, the need for school boats in Coron was addressed. STCQAA heeded NAC’s call for help on behalf of the student beneficiaries. NAC is the highest policy making body for the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya. It is composed of 13 national government agencies including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), Philippine Commission of Women (PCW), National Council for Indigenous People (NCIP), and Population Commission (POPCOM).
Dr. Carmencita Reodica, former DOH Secretary and Chairperson of the STCQCAA, led in sourcing the fiberglass boats to help make commuting a lot easier to the beneficiaries. The kids and their parents were very grateful for being recipients of the school boats.
Hernando Magahom, a father and in-charge boatman of one of the boats given to Barangay Lajala said, “Malaking tulong po ito lalo na po sa anak ko na sa proper pa po ang eskwelahan, hindi na po siya gagastos ng pamasahe (The boats are a big help to my kid who studies in the municipality proper. She does not have to pay for boat fares.)”
The students can ride the school boats for free and the boats’ gasoline are maintained and funded by the barangay. The school boats are made of fiber thus sturdier than balsa and makeshift boats. They are run by a motor so it is easier and faster for the students to travel than riding on a paddle boat.
Mark Bering of Sitio Menang, Barangay Turda shared, “Masyadong nakakapagod sa mga bata ang de sagwan at minsan nababasa sila kasi nga maliit ang bangka at pag maalon ay mas delikado talaga (It is tiring for the kids to take the paddle boats and sometimes they get wet because the boats were so small. It was also dangerous when the waves are big).”
The hand extended by STCQCAA for the student beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya is a hope that they can hold onto until they reach their dreams and achieve the change they want for themselves and family. To help them realize these dreams and changes, Pantawid Pamilya continues to foster partnerships with its different stakeholders.