Groundbreaking for Basiao Elementary School in Basey, Samar, where three classrooms will be constructedABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. (ALKFI) spearheads a holistic area development project for Basey, Samar and Dulag, Leyte, as assigned by the Office of the Presidential Assistance on Rehabilitation and Recovery. The foundation also took on the municipalities of Sta. Rita and Marabut as well as other affected barangays in Samar, Leyte, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan and Palawan.

To date, P82,737,748.72 has been utilized for relief activities which has so far served 3,636,475 individuals.

For rehabilitation activities, P54,634,635 has been disbursed for rebuilding projects which include the distribution of bancas, the repair and rehabilitation of schools, and raw materials for livelihood projects.

Three-hundred three fishing boats have been distributed, while another 254 are under construction through bayanihan by the recipient communities. The distribution of the target 4,000 boats for Samar and Leyte will be completed within the month.

Meanwhile, with the Department of Education (DepEd), ALKFI has identified public schools in Capiz, Aklan, Iloilo, Palawan, Samar and Leyte that need repair, rehabilitation and rebuilding.

Four classrooms designed to withstand extreme weather conditions have been turned over to the DepEd, while 21 are being constructed, 10 are undergoing repairs and 108 are set to be built. ALKFI will also provide soft programs for school development through its Programa Genio.

Ecotourism, livelihood for locals
Bayan Academy has identified coconut and multi-crop farming, crab and seaweed culture, banig weaving and ecotourism as livelihood activities suited to the communities in the areas of responsibility of ALKFI.

In partnership with government agencies, support services, farm and marine inputs as well technical training and marketing support will soon be available to farmers and fisherfolk.

An initial supply of raw materials for weaving has been distributed to 20 barangays in Samar, while 10 kayaks have been donated to promote Sohoton Cave. (Ana Terrese Junio)