Less than three months ago in October 2011, we started a campaign to mobilize Filipinos to raise the needed resources to build 10,000 classrooms in our public schools. When we started the campaign, we believed that more than building classrooms, it was also an opportunity for ordinary Filipinos to actively take part in nation-building.
We are very grateful that many individuals, groups, organizations, and institutions –both here and abroad — have joined us in this advocacy.
An advertising, marketing, and public relations agency gave us its services pro bono in designing the campaign’s message, collaterals, and media plan. Another company has committed to fund the TEN Moves secretariat. A company in the electronic displays business started showing our advertisements on its electronic billboards at seven different sites in Metro Manila and Naga City and committed to continue doing this for 10 months. More than 40 theaters in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, and Davao have also started airing the TEN Moves television commercials and committed to run them for 10 months.
As of December 31 last year, 1,022 individuals pledged and donated to TEN Moves! totaling P3,296,710. Many individuals, schools, companies, and organizations have joined the campaign and are now implementing it within their respective circles of influence. Filipinos in Australia and New York gave their pledge of support and vowed to mobilize their fellow Filipinos to support TEN Moves. On a daily basis, we receive e-mails from individuals and organizations to inform us that they have deposited their donation or that they have started asking their friends to support the campaign. There have been a lot of stories on how Filipinos are making their move.
A group of volunteers raised funds and started building a classroom at Pulag Primary School in Mt. Pulag in the province of Benguet. Another 425 classrooms were built nationwide by companies participating in Bayanihang Pampaaralan, the “mother campaign” of TEN Moves!
Towards the end of 2011, Typhoon Sendong (international name Washi) hit the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and other provinces in Northern Mindanao. Thousands of people were killed and billions of pesos worth of properties, crops, and infrastructure were lost, including classrooms and even entire public schools. Some schools were completely washed away, while others were badly damaged. Classrooms in public school classrooms on higher ground were used as evacuation centers during the relief operations.
Based on the reports from the Department of Education, a total of 141 new classrooms need to be built, 67 in Iligan City, and 74 in Cagayan de Oro City. The cost of these new classrooms is P122 million, aside from the 390 classrooms that need repairs costing more than P64 million.
The government alone cannot respond to all these needs, as it also has to attend to other rehabilitation requirements such as health, relocation, housing, livelihood and others. Thus, for the first quarter of 2012, we will be directing TEN Moves! contributions to the construction of classrooms in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro.
We encourage everyone to help in this urgent rebuilding effort. If you have already made your pledge and haven’t had the chance to give the donation, this will be the best time to do it. Likewise, we appeal for your support in promoting TEN Moves! to people who are looking for an avenue to help the typhoon victims.
Thank you very much for your support and we look forward to another year of helping build a better nation with you.
TEN Moves!
T: (02) 752 1061 | F: (02) 752 1265 | E: info@tenmoves.org