University of Cebu

Hideki bus donated to KALIPI Women's group of Brgy. Sapangdaku [view full image]

Hideki bus donated to KALIPI Women's group of Brgy. Sapangdaku [view full image]

On June 4, 2007, the University of Cebu’s adopted community, Brgy. Sapangdaku, in Guadalupe, Cebu City happily received a bus for the service of school children thru the efforts of the CESDEV/CWTS Program.
“This is for the Sapangdaku children who couldn’t go to school because of high transportation cost,” informed Sr. Sandra G. Clemente, RSCJ, Director of the UC Community Extension Services and Development and the Civic Welfare Training.
The bequest was an urgent matter because the nearest elementary school can be reached by foot thru a half kilometer walk, while the nearest public high school—the Ramon Duterte School in Guadalupe—could only be reached through a Php20 Habal-habal ride.
The bus was acquired through the generosity of Japanese couple, Mr. and Mrs. Hayashi, who were told of the children’s plight by a noted Catholic writer, Mrs. Ayako Sono. Mrs. Sono first heard of it from the talk delivered by Sr. Naoe Hirodo, RSCJ, to the Japan Overseas Missionary Aid Society (JOMAS). The couple then sent monetary aid to JOMAS which was then forwarded to the Philippines to the UC Community Extension Services and Development and the Civic Welfare Training Service offices. Sr. Sandra G. Clemente then took the responsibility of having the bus built after consulting UC President Atty. Augusto W. Go, VC for Administrative Affairs Atty. Abella, and the Sapangdaku Barangay Council. It cost five hundred thousand pesos.
The bus is one of the assistance the Hayashi couple has given to various marginalized communities in Asia, named after and in memorial of their departed child, Hideki.
Though the rides won’t be for free, it offers cost efficient and sanitary rides for the Sapangdaku children. “There will be no more reason for them to be absent,” reminds Sr. Clemente to the children who attended the affair. The vehicle will be taken care by the community’s Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI Women’s group), with GAD- Focal person, Ms. Helen Ybarita.
The Sapangdaku Barangay Council, through Mr. Leonardo Opon, expressed heartfelt gratefulness for the endowment.
“This is not a dol -out,” reminds Sr. Clemente, as the vehicle will be maintained and the salary of the driver will be provided by those who will use the bus along with the KALIPI. It is arranged to take care of the students, serve as a catalyst for them to remain positive despite present circumstances and assist them to achieve their dream.
The bus was blessed by UC Chaplain Fr. Jake Reyes. The key and deed of donation was handed by Sr. Clemente to the delight of the Sapangdaku Barangay Council.