Gov, NGO to ink agreement for classroom construction

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board has granted Gov. Hilario Davide III an authority to enter into an agreement with a non-government organization for the construction of multi-storey classroom buildings costing over P105.9 million.

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., in partnership with the Cebu provincial government, will build the classroom buildings in 10 areas that have the most classroom shortages in the province, as determined by the Department of Education.

This is part of RAFI's "High School Building Project" in Cebu, in collaboration with DepEd and local government units, which aims to provide a more conducive learning environment and enhance the education quality by providing additional learning facilities.

The project will be implemented through a counterparting scheme, as provided in the agreement.

In Madridejos town, for example, a four-storey 12-classroom building will be erected at Madridejos National High School.

The province will provide fund of not less than P7.5 million that represents its share in the purchase of construction materials and manpower requirements for the implementation of the project.

RAFI, on the other hand, will set aside at least P8.5 million as its counterpart. It will also spearhead the building construction and administration, including the identification of contractors, bidding, and documentation.

A three-storey, nine-classroom building that costs P12 million will be constructed at Catmon Integrated School in Catmon town, as well as in Carmen National High School in Carmen, and San Remegio National High School in San Remegio.

A two-storey, six-classroom building costing P8 million is also being eyed to be constructed at Sangat National High School in San Fernando. The same structure will also be built at Bagalnga Integrated School in Compostela; Calape National High School in Daanbantayan; Mantalongon National High School in Barili; Mohon National High School in Sogod; and Marikaban Integrated School in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island.

The Capitol will provide at least P4.3 million counterpart while RAFI will allot P8 million for each three-storey, 9-classroom building.

As to the two-storey, six-classroom buildings, each will be funded by the province's share of at least P3.07 million and RAFI's P5.7 million.

The draft of the agreement further stated that the concerned LGU will provide the institutional, technical and operational support in the implementation process, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of the project and facilitating the necessary building permits.

The recipient-school is also directed to ensure smooth implementation of the project by allowing free and easy access to the site.

The agreement has yet to be signed by the governor. — (FREEMAN)