A post-Christmas Day trip to Pablo-stricken areas is being charted out on 28th-30th December 2013 by the Arrupe team in order to do initial spadework in preparation for the start of the second reconstruction projects which will begin in the first week of January 2014.  The trips are scheduled for Brgy. Ngan in Compostela Valley (ComVal) on 28th December, as well as in Brgy. Dapnan in Baganga, Davao Oriental (DavOr) on 29th-30th December.  Early this month, the Office of the President approved a proposal by the Arrupe Office of Social Formation, as endorsed by the University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council (UCEAC), for the second reconstruction projects in areas that were largely affected by Typhoon Pablo in 2012. 

Headed by Mr. Karl Anthony Ebol, RSW, the Community Engagement Officer (CEO) of the Arrupe Office and the designated Project Manager, the team’s planned trip is intended to meet the following objectives: Firstly, with the assistance of Field Officer Ms. Elcy Debildos, to facilitate a community assembly among teachers, parents, students and community leaders in order to do an orientation on the importance of project ownership through community collaboration and cooperation; secondly, with the assistance of the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) through Engr. Richard Manapol (who is the Project Engineer), as well as Engr. Jonas Gallego (Construction Supervisor), to survey and prepare the construction sites where the proposed structures are going to be erected; and thirdly, with Ms. Sheena Cachuela (Project Finance & Budget Officer) and Mr. Mark Anthony Dinoy (Field Officer of the first reconstruction project), to meet with suppliers of construction materials to ensure standard quality, and proper and timely delivery. M. Isabel S. Actub of Arrupe’s Communications and Advocacy will also join the team to do interviews for the planned book on the Baganga-Ateneo Student Exposure Program (ASEP).

This second set of construction projects are intended for two specific areas.  A school building is planned at Consuelo M. Valderrama High School at Brgy. Ngan in ComVal, while a single classroom (originally planned in Brgy. Mikit) is also intended to be constructed in Brgy. Dapnan in Baganga. The planned work for the two buildings is targeted for a period of sixty (60) days.  Construction will begin on 6th January 2014.  Earlier in April-June of this year, the first reconstruction and rehabilitation projects were also conducted in Baganga, DavOr.  All structural projects were done for a period of sixty (60) to (90) days.

In the first week of December, shortly after the proposed projects got the official nod from Fr. President, Mr. Ebol already conducted a meeting with the administration of Consuelo M. Valderrama High School and the school head of Mikit Elementary School (where the other school building was supposed to be erected, and yet based on second assessment, as of now, the Dapnan area is in dire need of structural reconstruction), together with the heads of the local Department of Education (DepEd). There is a planned presentation of proposed building design, as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), shortly before the actual construction begins.  (By M. Isabel S. Actub, Arrupe Communications & Advocacy)