REVISITING THE SCHOOLS. The delegation from South Korea pose with children and teachers during a visit in Kiling Elementary School in Tanauan, Leyte on Friday (March 29, 2019). Col. Lee Chul Won, top official of the South Korean Army, visited 13 of the 37 schools Korean soldiers fixed in the towns of Dagami, Tolosa, Tanauan, Palo, and Tacloban City after 'Yolanda'. (Photo by Roel Amazona)
PALO, Leyte -- A top official of the South Korean Army, who came to help Leyte province recover after the 2013 monster typhoon “Yolanda”, was pleased to see the progress of the former devastated areas.
Five years after the contingent completed its post-disaster project, Col. Lee Chul Won came back to the province Thursday and Friday to personally see the schools they have repaired.
“I am extremely proud to see that the region has overcome the typhoon and is continuing its development,” Lee told local officials on Friday.
“The sight of the Leyte citizens welcoming us with a smile brought joy to my eyes. We remember your goodwill and kindness throughout our deployment. Your immense support ensured that we operated and returned to our country with no casualty,” he added.
During his visit, Lee went to 13 of the 37 schools they have fixed in the towns of Dagami, Tolosa, Tanauan, Palo, and Tacloban City.
The South Korean military official also distributed financial assistance to 10 poor students in each school he toured, as well as to school principals.
“I was so happy to see all of you studying in the school we have rebuilt,” Lee said. “Follow the lessons of your teachers and concentrate in your studies. Be great students, contributing to the Philippines and the whole world.”
Lee recalled how the South Korean forces took it as pride to be able to help the victims of “Yolanda” on their road to recovery.
“We saw this as repaying the favor we received from your grandfathers who fought alongside us in the Korean War against communist forces,” he said.
Lee was referring to the historical moment when the Philippines was the first Asian country to send combat troops to the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, with the Philippines sending more than 7,400 soldiers under the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK).
The presence of the PEFTOK in Korea was in response to the United Nations call for assistance to enforce its mandate to help dislodge North Korean and Chinese forces from a demilitarized zone.
Aside from repairing government facilities in 2014, the Korean army also fixed four houses of Filipino war veterans who fought in the Korean War and provided military honors to a deceased war veteran.
Sofio Lobrigo’s house from Dagami was among those repaired by Koreans. He participated in the Korean War from 1952-1953 in Chulwon, Gangwondo. Lee handed over a hearing aid to Lobrigo on Thursday.
The officials also visited war veteran Segundino Grisola Sr. of Carigara, Leyte. He received a wheelchair and a hearing aid.
Joining Lee in the two-day visit were his daughter, Korean actress Lee Jia, Korean Embassy Counselor Kim Jang Hyun, retired Brig. Gen. Kim Bonghwan, Korean Parliament General Director Sin Dong Un, and several other officials.
A few days after the super typhoon flattened central Philippines on Nov. 8, 2013, the South Korean government sent its 540-men Araw contingent to Leyte province in two batches.
The Koreans completed their project in December 2014. The troops were the second largest overseas deployment of South Korea.
The contingent rebuilt 67 buildings, including 37 schools and eight hospitals. Their medical mission treated 41,000 patients and their soup kitchens fed 62,000 people. The contingent also taught the Korean language to elementary, high school, and college students.
They opened a vocational training school, teaching selected survivors on engine mechanics and heavy equipment operation.
When they left Leyte, the Korean government turned over PHP200-million worth of heavy equipment to the national government through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066052
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.