Lahug school building completed; Mary Ann lashes at Osmeña, Del Mar

CEBU, Philippines - The second phase of the controversial school building project in Lahug Elementary School was formally turned over to the school yesterday with Lahug barangay captain Mary Ann de los Santos taking the opportunity to lash at Mayor Tomas Osmeña and North District Rep. Raul del Mar.

“Looking back on the school building controversy that has caught the attention of everyone, we, the barangay officials of Lahug, realize that it was a lonely fight against the power that be at City Hall,” De los Santos said.

The school building project was initiated by the city government but the same was ordered stopped by Osmeña in 2007 following the local elections wherein he lost in the barangay against De los Santos.

“The mayor castigated the innocent school children of barangay Lahug. Why compromise the education of the children of the less privileged section of Lahug? Just because Mayor Osmeña was heavily defeated in barangay Lahug in the last elections is too bitter a pill for him to swallow,” De los Santos said.

To continue the project, the barangay then initiated the “Piso Mo, Eskwelahan Mo” fund drive. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia also donated P6.3 million for the construction of the school building. Garcia and Provincial Board Member Jose Ma. Gastardo attended the turnover yesterday.

“City Council claimed that they are no rubber stamp but we had nobody who stood for the principle we fought and believe in. Even our own congressman who happens to live in Barangay Lahug was deaf and blind,” De los Santos said in her speech before the parents, teachers and students yesterday afternoon.

De los Santos has expressed intention to run against Del Mar’s daughter Rachel in next year’s polls for the congressional seat in the north district.

For her part, Garcia said Capitol’s donation for the school building is beyond politics.

“Nalipay mi nga nahatagan mi ug kahigayunan sa pagtabang kaninyo,” Garcia said, adding, that there is no reason for the province not help barangay Lahug, considering that the Capitol has been giving financial assistance to other provinces.

Garcia said education has always been her priority.

Today, the governor will inaugurate school buildings in Carcar City, Sibonga, Argao, Alcoy, Boljoon and Oslob. — Garry B. Lao/JMO (THE FREEMAN)