Capitol keeps DepEd, RAFI partnership

CEBU, Philippines - Acting Governor Agnes Magpale has to continue the undertakings previously entered into by suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia with the Department of Education and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. for the construction of six-classroom two-storey buildings.

The Provincial Board authorized Magpale yesterday, through a resolution sponsored by Board Member Wilfredo Caminero, to sign a memorandum of agreement with DepEd and RAFI.

The classroom buildings will be constructed in Consolacion National High School, Tuburan National High School, Mohon National High School in Sogod, and Mantalongon National High School in Dalaguete.

The execution of the said memorandum of agreement would be advantageous to the interests of the Province of Cebu and not contrary to law, Caminero said.

Last year, RAFI has offered P30 million to the Provincial School Board for the construction of six-classroom two-storey buildings in selected areas in the province.  RAFI has an existing program for classroom repair in elementary schools but it made the offer to partner with the provincial government and DepEd for the construction of classrooms for high schools.

The Provincial Government has been constructing two-classroom school buildings but Garcia earlier grabbed RAFI’s proposal in order to have more classrooms to address the problem of DepEd.

Garcia proposed that with the P30 million of RAFI, the Province of Cebu will give another P30 million as counterpart, targeting 30 school buildings.

The PSB approved last year the total annual budget of P201 million for school year 2012-2013.

The appropriations include the budget for the distribution of school supplies and computers, construction of 200 more classrooms, and among others.  (FREEMAN)