AFFECTED teachers, learners and their families recently benefited from relief operations conducted by City Savings Bank (CitySavings) in Kananga and Ormoc City, Leyte.
Each of the 235 beneficiaries received food and hygiene kits from the bank distributed in several public schools, namely Cabaon-an Elementary School, Pedro Banez National High School, Milagro Elementary School, Gaas Elementary School and Tongonan Elementary School in Ormoc City, and Lim-ao Elementary School, Lim-ao National High School, Tongonan Elementary School and San Ignacio Elementary School in Kananga, Leyte.
The province was jolted by a 6.5-magnitude earthquake earlier this month, resulting to physical injuries and damage to property.
“The aftermath of the earthquake tested my capacity as a school head to build a community filled with hope, love and compassion toward my teachers and students who were greatly affected,” Cabaon-an Elementary School Principal Annabelle Wenceslao said. She described her happiness upon seeing “how the faces of my teachers and students brightened up” when the assistance from the bank came to their school.
“What the bank did is more than just about the business. They gave hope to us and to our community. Thank you so much, CitySavings, for touching our lives. Indeed, in simplicity, there is goodness,” Wenceslao added.
Meanwhile, Lim-ao National High School Principal Nelson Payot narrated how appreciative they were when aid arrived in their campus that sustained damage during the tremor.
“We would like to thank CitySavings for being that first to respond to our needs. Your simple way of extending help and comforting our teachers through the donations and your personal visit is a gesture that we will cherish,” he said.
“The donation was of great help to my family particularly the two gallons of water and food items,” added Bernadette Peteros, a public-school teacher of Cabaon-an Elementary School.
The local government unit of Ormoc City estimated 683 affected families remain at evacuation centers. It said they need further assistance, especially food and potable water.
The thrift-bank subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines and a member of the Aboitiz Group, City Savings provides easy and convenient financing for the public-school teachers via its more than 100 branches nationwide.
As part of its corporate citizenship thrust, the bank works with the Department of Education to look after the welfare of Filipino public-school teachers.