Capitol partners with NGO for school building projects

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government has entered into agreements yesterday with a non-government organization for the construction of multi-storey school buildings in 10 identified areas in the province that have the most classroom shortages.

Along with the Capitol, the recipient local government units and the Department of Education are among the parties which signed the memorandum of agreements with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

This is part of RAFI’s “High School Building Project” in Cebu which aims to provide a more conducive learning environment and enhance the education quality by providing additional learning facilities.

The school buildings to be built will amount to P106 million and each of the 10 buildings is covered with a MOA.

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

In Madridejos town, for example, a 4-storey 12-classroom building will be erected in Madridejos National High School.

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

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

A 3-storey building with nine classrooms which costs P12 million will be constructed at Catmon Integra-ted School in Catmon town, as well as at Carmen National High School in Carmen, and San Remigio National High School in San Remigio.

A 2-storey 6-classroom building costing P8 million is being eyed at the Sangat National High School in San Fernando. Another will also be built in 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 provincial government will provide at least P4.3 million as counterpart while RAFI will set aside a share of not less than P8 million for each 3-storey 9-classroom building.

For the 2-storey 6-classroom buildings, each will be funded by the province’s share of at least P3.07 million and RAFI’s P5.7 million.

The agreement also states that the concerned LGU will provide the institutional, technical and operational support for the project, as well as the monitoring, evaluation and processing of the necessary building permits.

Anthony Dignadice, executive director of the RAFI Education Development Unit, said the construction of the school buildings will start next month.

He added that the school buildings were designed to withstand typhoon and earthquakes.

Each classroom can accommodate up to 60 students. — Michael Vencynth H. Braga/ATO (FREEMAN)