Maybank

A joint effort by Medical Relief Society (MERCY) Malaysia and the Maybank Foundation brought much relief to the community in Barangay Nasunogan, following the successful reconstruction of the Nasunogan Elementary School that was severely devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. The new school was designed to withstand typhoons, which are a common phenomenon in the Philippines. Both MERCY Malaysia and Maybank Foundation accomplished their mission to reduce the vulnerability of the community by providing a safe and comfortable learning environment for the students in the barangay.

The school consists of a four-block wooden structure with seven classrooms where each is complemented with a toilet, blackboard, and a bulletin board as well as electric fans and lighting fixtures. There are also common facilities within the school compound such as a common toilet, a canteen, and a nursery for vegetable seedlings.

"By constructing the school to withstand typhoons and earthquakes, it will also function as an evacuation centre during a disaster with the capacity to accommodate the people of the barangay," said President of MERCY Malaysia, Dato' Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus.

Nasunogan Elementary School is located in Barangay Nasunogan, Ormoc City. The barangay has a population of 1,643 and the school is the only elementary school that serves the area. The school, which has 246 students ranging from kindergarten to Grade 6 was originally donated by an individual to the barangay. It had been managed and financed by the Department of Education as well as parents of the students. The majority of the students come from low income families who depend on farming as their main source of income.

Maybank Foundation CEO Shahril Azuar Jimin said the rehabilitation efforts were in line with Maybank's mission to humanise financial services as well as the Foundation's commitment to support communities affected by natural disasters.

"When we heard of the devastation wrought by the typhoon, we were concerned that education of the students would be affected, and hence we got together with MERCY Malaysia to remedy this," he said.

"This effort to rebuild the school which is a significant part in the lives of some 400 families there displays Maybank's commitment to be in the heart of the communities it serves. Our hope is that it will ensure the sustainable provision of education to the community within the barangay and help the children look forward to a brighter future," he added.

Maybank Foundation, Inc. through MERCY Malaysia has donated RM200,000.00 or nearly Php3 million to Nasunogan Elementary School in Ormoc City.