Davide: LGUs are to be blamed

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III blamed the local government units in northern Cebu for unrepaired classrooms which greeted students as they returned to school last week.

Davide said had the local officials acted on the problem during summer, repairs of dilapidated classrooms would have been done before the opening of classes.

“This should have been done earlier. Taas man kaayo ang summer unta, mao man unta na’ng time to fix earlier para ma-ready na,” Davide said during a press conference at the Capitol yesterday.

Reports had it that schoolchildren in northern towns are attending classes in open tents and even under the trees, exposing them to direct heat and possibly rain when the rainy season comes.

Davide, however, said he also understood that these LGUs had so much in their hands after super typhoon Yolanda left them heavily damaged.

And since a good percentage of the damaged school buildings remain unrepaired, Davide appealed to affected students and teachers to make do with tents.

 â€œMintras tanto, mag-antos lang sa ang mga estudyante, mga maestro sa tents lang una,” he said, while adding that the Capitol is willing to give more tents.

Davide also appealed to the Department of Education to hasten the rehabilitation works.

“We appeal to DepEd nga paspasan ang pag-repair sa buildings. The province is ready to help DepEd, extend financial assistance,” he said.  (FREEMAN)