Save the Children has always believed that true transformation and genuine peace can be achieved through education. Save the Children Philippines through its Restoring Livelihoods and Learning Project, supported by the Asian Development Bank and Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, led a ceremonial groundbreaking of a two-storey, four-classroom building at Angoyao National High School. This is a collaboration with Task Force Bangon Marawi, City of Marawi LGU, DepEd/MBHTE Marawi, and Angoyao National High School.
The ceremonial groundbreaking was done at Angoyao National High School, Barangay Ambolong, Marawi city, led by the Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, TFBM Chairman, Marawi City Mayor Atty. Majul Gandamra, OIC Schools Division Superintendent Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto, Save the Children – BARMM Team Leader Mr. Edwin Philip Horca and school principal Mr. Daud Lala. The ceremonial groundbreaking is part of the celebration week to commemorate the Marawi Liberation from the siege that happened back in 2017. The ceremony of the groundbreaking included the hand-over of teachers’ and learners’ tables and chairs and mobile foot-operated hand-washing kiosks.
Save the Children and Angoyao National High School have maintained and established partnership, since the start of the Marawi Siege as part of a sustained support for the recovery and rehabilitation of the city. The school principal, Mr. Daud Lala, gave his warmest gratitude during his speech and reminisced the terrors of the siege that haunted them in 2017, “…Save the Children Philippines never left us in our journey to resiliency.”
The success of groundbreaking ceremony was also due to the never-ending support of the Marawi City Schools Division and the vision of development of quality education for every child. The OIC Schools Division Superintendent Anna Zenaida Unte - Alonto envisioned a future for every learner in a fun, healthy and safe learning environment. They are all working together to reach out for help and be of service to all the learners of Marawi.
“Until our last child is transitioned to a regular Marawi permanent school, we still need help in the city school division of Marawi…” – Anna Zenaida Unte – Alonto, OIC Marawi Schools Division.
Education is seen as a tool to help recover and rehabilitate Marawi city and to rebuild the resiliency of the Meranaos from the trauma of the siege. The Task Force Bangon Marawi Chairperson Eduardo del Rosario believed that through education, the goal of recovery and rehabilitation of the city can be achieved.
“This will serve as a catalyst for growth and sustainable development, achievement for good governance and a peaceful environment.” – Eduardo del Rosario, Task Force Bangon Marawi
Education has an important role in reconstruction and recovery. Edwin Philip Horca, Team Leader for Save the Children Philippines in BARMM underscored, “because of its formative potential, education can help in shaping new norms, mediate between contending narratives of the past, and nurture a culture of respect for human rights across generations.”
