Surangel Whipps, Sr., representing his son, turned over the donation. PHS Principal Ibuuch Tomoichi received the donation on behalf of the school.
The turn-over was held at the PHS grounds on Tuesday. Also present during the turn-over were Director of Public Works Techur Rengulbai and other PHS officials and staff.
In an interview, Whipps said that their family is happy that it was able to help the school through the donation.
The donation consisted of several pieces each of hinge, lumber, marine plywood, bolt, brush, roller, finishing nail, glue, p-trap, elbow, tee, adapter, pipe, coupling, cement, ball valve, gate valve,hose, toilet kit, tank lever, flapper, faucet, cap, acid, paint and lever. The total value of the donation was pegged at $1,592
“They are badly needed for the maintenance and repair of the school facilities. My family, particularly the senator, who is an alumnus of this school, is happy that it was able to help the school once again.
Earlier, the Whipps family donated on three occasions paint and other materials for the improvement and beautification of the school facilities.
Facilities of the school, particularly the restrooms and bathrooms, are now in a state of disrepair arising from failure to maintain them properly.
The situation prompted the Sanitation Office this week to declare the school unsanitary and recommend for its closure.
On behalf of the PHS, Principal Tomoichi thanked the Whipps family, particularly Sen. Whipps, for its generosity.
According to her, the school administration finds it hard to maintain school facilities considering that it has only a little budget to do it.
The Palau government, it was learned, only allotted $10,000 this year for the repair and maintenance of 18 public schools in the entire nation.
“Considering that the amount will be shared among those 18 schools, it is understandable that only a little will remain for us,” Tomoichi pointed out.
“And the amount will not suffice for maintenance and repairs in our school the whole year,” she added.
The Whipps family, which is engaged in philanthropy, owns several big establishments here in Palau, including the Surangel Shopping Center and Mason’s Hardware.
PHS is the main secondary school in this island republic. More than 700 students are currently enrolled in the said learning institution.
