THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers launched Tulong Guro donation drive and relief operations to assist teachers and learners in areas hit by Super Typhoon Karding.

The group started its donation activities in Sta. Lucia High School in Quezon City, which served as evacuation area for flood-stricken residents. ACT, together with donors, distributed ‘baon packs’, school supplies and hygiene kits for learners, and a photo-copying machine for the school.

“We facilitate the delivery of assistance extended by our fellow teachers and other donors to the beneficiaries so that our learners can continue going to school despite the impacts of the calamity to their families. While their homes and learning materials may have been damaged by floods and their source of livelihood may have been affected, it is one less problem for their families if we can provide our learners’ baon and school supplies so as not to disrupt their schooling,” Dana Beltran, the group’s deputy secretary-general, said.

“In the next days, ACT plans to conduct relief operations in some schools in Central Luzon so that help can be extended to affected teacher and learners. Through the generosity of our fellow teachers and other donors, we hope that we can somehow alleviate the burdens of our teachers in these areas this teachers’ month as they struggle to assist their students and try to put their schools back in shape while they themselves are victims of the calamity,” she added.

Beltran, however, said that donations from teachers and citizens are not enough thus the government should provide substantive response especially in heavily affected areas.

ACT monitored damage to several schools in several provinces hit by the typhoon.

“We have yet to hear from the Department Education its inventory and estimates of the typhoon’s damage to our schools, along with the agency’s plans on how the affected facilities will be rehabilitated immediately. Sana naman ay bilis-bilisan nila ang kilos dahil mahalaga ang bawat araw na nawawala para sa pag-aaral ng mga bata,” Beltran said.