The campaign titled: “Building Back Libraries for Yolanda-Stricken Areas” continuous to gain support. Various organizations and individuals have donated books and other reading materials in support to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) initiative to rebuild libraries in the Yolanda affected areas.
As of April 9,2014, some 500 books were donated by the Don Alejandro Roses Sr. Science and Technology High School in Quezon City and 16 boxes of books from the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) in Los Banos Laguna.
Within the next few weeks, the Department expects to receive from its attached agencies namely: the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), and the National Computer Center (NCC) of the DOST-ICT Office.
Ms. Rosie Almocera, DOST-STII Information Resources and Analysis Division Chief, said that they are inspired by the increasing number of contributions they have received from employees within the DOST family, public and private schools, concerned individuals and civic organizations.
Said book donations include the recently donated closed to a thousand books from the Electronic Information Solutions, Inc. (EISI) as part of its 21st anniversary celebration by being part of STII’s “Building Back Libraries for Typhoon Yolanda Stricken Areas” project.
The donation was initiated by Reuel T. Avila, EISI, founder and former employee of DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).
Book donation has been EISI’s corporate social responsibility. Avila was once part of an IT Team that gave technical support to PCHRD and other DOST libraries.
The donation of high quality US-based books that included K-12 materials is also part of EISI’s 21st Anniversary Celebration.
“Libraries represent sharing, Libraries represent lifelong earnings, Libraries are for world peace,” Avila said.
DOST-STII is in the process of making inventory of the donations to determine the number of books that will be deployed to the libraries, said Almocera. “We assure our donors that their contributions will be accounted for and they will be delivered to the rightful beneficiaries,” she also said.
The STII library head issues certificate of donation to private donors and invoice receipt of property from government donors.
Almocera said STII will open a Facebook account and a website to document updates on the relief efforts and publish list of donations and its intended beneficiaries.
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Building Back Libraries for Yolanda Stricken Areas
“Building Back Libraries for Typhoon Typhoon Yolanda Stricken Areas” a project of the DOST-Science and Technology Information Center (STII) conceptualized by Assistant Secretary Raymond E. Liboro of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was quickly responded by DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo, by issuing DOST Memo dated February 14, 2014 which took effect on March 2014.
Called the most powerful storm to make landfall in recorded history, Typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2014 struck the Philippines, centering Leyte and Eastern Samar provinces with 2.3 million population worst hit.
In line with the goal to solicit books and other library resources from the donors here and abroad, Secretary Montejo ask for the kindness and generosity of everyone to donate books (in print or in electronic format), videos, and other library resources for typhoon Yolanda-stricken areas and encourage everybody to launch campaign activities for the said project.
DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Dr. Carol M. Yarobe on March 25, 2014 also issued a Memorandum to DOST Regional Directors for typhoon Yolanda stricken areas to submit the potential beneficiaries of this project.
Dr. Josefina P. Abilay of DOST Regional Office No. 48 of MIMAROPA identified 21 schools and DOST 8 Regional Director Edgardo M. Esperancilla submitted a list of Leyte province where a total of 831 need assistance (712 elementary, 93 high school and 26 college).
Other generous donors of library materials are Don Alejandro Roces Sr. Science Technology High School in Marikina City, Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDII), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), International Communication Technology Office (ICTO) and Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
