Bantayan islet gets new school building

CEBU, Philippines - The islet barangay of Doong in Bantayan town is the first beneficiary of the Operation: Barrio Schools project of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. outside mainland Cebu.

Alexander Du, vice president of CFCCC, formally turned over a two-classroom building to the municipal officials of Bantayan town and the Department of Education yesterday on behalf of donor Peter Ty.

The two-classroom building will be used by students of Doong National High School.

Du said Doong was the priority beneficiary of the project, but they almost decided to build the school in another place because the amount for the project was only intended for the construction itself. They still had to find means to transport the materials to the islet.

Fortunately, Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon assured to help in the project.

Doong National High School Principal Miriam Mansueto said students would surely benefit from the project because it addresses the lack of classrooms at the school.

Bantayan Mayor Geralyn Escario also expressed gratitude to the CFCCC for choosing Doong as beneficiary of the project.

Salimbangon, for his part, said he did not hesitate to support the project, as one of his priorities is to improve the quality of education in the district.

Operation: Barrio Schools is the longest-running and biggest private sector-led school buildings construction program in the Philippines.

Du said two-classroom school buildings are being built in public schools across the country through donations CFCCC members and from benevolent organizations, families and individuals within the Chinese community.

Operation: Barrio Schools started in 1960 and has since supported the education program of seven Philippine Presidents starting from the time of the late president Carlos P. Garcia.

In Region VII alone, a total of 216 two-classroom buildings have been constructed- 194 in mainland Cebu, 15 in Bohol, six in Negros Oriental, and one in Siquijor. — Jose P. Sollano/JMO (THE FREEMAN)