US Donates Php7.6 Million in Educational Materials to Typhoon-Affected Schools in Bicol

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BULA, CAMARINES SUR — The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), donated over Php7.6 million ($136,000) worth of educational materials to support more than 18,500 students in typhoon-affected areas of the Bicol region.

The donation, part of USAID’s Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines (ABC+) program, was handed over on Dec. 2 at Bula Central School by Ina Aquino, USAID ABC+ Chief of Party, to Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara and DepEd Region V Director Gilbert Sadsad.

The educational package includes 18,600 learner kits, 8,884 early grade reading materials, and 528 teacher kits, benefiting students in kindergarten through grade three and staff across 54 schools.

“We recognize that education is not just a means of learning, but a lifeline that helps restore hope and builds resilience,” said Yvette Malcioln, USAID Philippines Acting Education Office Director. “We hope that these resources will help students and teachers recover and ensure that education can continue despite disruptions to learning caused by recent disasters.”

DepEd Secretary Angara expressed gratitude for the high-quality materials provided by USAID.

“The Department faced a challenge in printing textbooks. USAID and the ABC+ project came to our aid by providing us with materials and books for the children. They did not skimp on the quality of their materials and their assistance to us,” he said.

This latest donation is part of a broader Php336 million ($6 million) assistance package from the U.S. government to support the Philippine government’s disaster response efforts following a series of typhoons and floods since late October.

The contribution underscores the long-standing partnership between the Philippines and the U.S., focusing on rebuilding communities, ensuring educational continuity, and fostering resilience amid natural disasters.