School building project to benefit 4,000 students

CEBU – Some 4,000 high school students in Cebu will benefit from a P110-million project the provincial government entered into with the Department of Education and Ramon Aboitiz Foundation.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. President Roberto Aboitiz and Department of Education Cebu Division Superintendent Arden Monisit recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the school building project in 10 towns here.

Local town mayors also signed the MOA witnessed by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, Provincial Board member Peter John Calderon and DepEd 7 Director Juliet Jeruta.

A two-storey building with six classrooms would be built for Daanbantayan’s Calape National High School, Sogod’s Mohon National High School, San Fernando’s Sangat National High School, Barili’s Mantalongon National High School, Marikaban Integrated High School in Sta. Fe, and Bagalnga Integrated High School in Compostela.

Another three-storey, nine-classroom building will also be built in San Remigio, Catmon and Carmen National High School while Madridejos National High School on Bantayan Island will receive a four-storey school building with 12 classrooms.

Davide thanked RAFI for its continuous support to the province, especially in education development.

Emphasizing on education as one effective way of eradicating poverty, Davide said that “education creates opportunities for economic growth.” He said education keeps people and community healthy.

“Quality education requires quality classrooms, among others. Schools should be conducive to the learning of the students,” Davide said.

In this collaborative project, the provincial government will allocate P39 million as counterpart funding while local governments shall provide the logistical support and DepEd shall take care of the custody and maintenance of the completed school buildings.

Anthony Dignadice, RAFI Educational Development Unit Executive Director, said the classrooms, with an area of 7×9 meters, can accommodate up to 60 students. He said construction will start next month and the handover of the completed school buildings is likely before the year ends. (Lianne Llesol)