Philippine Army Engineers and Republic of Korea Armed Forces completes rehabilitation of Naga-Naga Elementary School in Leyte

Posted to the Samar News (May 10): Philippine Army Engineers and Republic of Korea Armed Forces completes rehabilitation of Naga-Naga Elementary School in Leyte

By DPAO, 8ID PA
May 10, 2014

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City, Samar – Joint effort of the Philippine Army Engineers and Republic of Korea Armed Forces led to another successful completion of the rehabilitation of the Naga-Naga Elementary in Palo, Leyte. The school suffered much damage during the onslaught of ST Yolanda which left most of its school buildings and classrooms inoperable.

No less than the commander of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army attended the completion celebration of the rehabilitated school facilities Naga-Naga Elementary at Barangay Naga-Naga, Palo Leyte on May 9, 2014 along with Hon. Remedios Petilla, Mayor of Palo Leyte and Ms. Divina M. Monhe, Ph.D. Principal of Naga-Naga Elementary School.

Also present during the celebration were the troops under South Korean Joint Support Group Philippines (SK-JSGP) military contingent led by Col. Lee Chul-won and troops under Philippine Army Engineer units led by Maj. Danny Rey Montemayor. The combine troops of SK-JSGP and Philippine Army Engineers were instrumental in the repair and rehabilitation of the school facilities. It was the 8th school rehabilitated and there are still 10 schools currently undergoing repair and rehabilitation works.

Various performances on dancing skills were presented by the South Korean troops, Philippine Army Engineers, PNP personnel and students from different elementary schools of Palo Leyte. The performances were highlighted by the surprise appearance of RAINBOW, a popular South Korean girl K-Pop group. The performance of the K-Pop group mesmerized the crowd especially the South Korean troops and egged the group for more songs. The K-Pop group obliged and ended up performing three songs to the delight of the crowd.

Meanwhile, the first batch of students of the heavy equipment seminar initiated by the SK-JSGP graduated last May 9, 2014. The graduation was graced by Hon. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, Governor of Leyte and Maj. Gen. Jet B. Velarmino AFP. From March 31, 2014, the students underwent a series of heavy equipment operation training for crane, excavator, pay-loader, bulldozer, and buck hoe. The training of the 39 heavy equipment operation students was accredited by TESDA.

In his message, Maj. Gen. Velarmino AFP lauded the endeavors of the SK-JSGP. He said, “I would like to express my deepest admiration and high regard to our comrades from the Republic of Korea Support Group Philippines "Araw contingents" whose love and passion for our fellow Filipinos brought new hope for the country. Your sweat and sacrifices might not be enough to bring back the lives lost in the super typhoon, but your sweat is more than enough to keep us going with our lives and your effort will forever be etched in our hearts and minds.”

http://www.samarnews.com/news2014/may/d037.htm