Dumanjug still part of Gabaldon project - RAFI

CEBU, Philippines - The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) clarified that Dumanjug town is still part of the Gabaldon school buildings restoration project, an undertaking with the Province of Cebu and the Department of Education.

RAFI’s executive director for Education Development Unit, Anthony Dignadice made the clarification following the pronouncement of Provincial Board Member Wilfredo Caminero that Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia withdrew from among the beneficiaries.

“We did not really communicate that Dumanjug has withdrawn,” Dignadice told The Freeman.

Dignadice corroborated the earlier claim of Garcia that he did not withdraw but is only looking for the needed counterpart fund in the amount of P700,000.

Dignadice said that Caminero might have misinterpreted his suggestion to replace Dumanjug in the first batch of beneficiaries until the counterpart fund becomes available.

They were the ones who suggested to replace Dumanjug with Tayud and Cabangahan elementary schools, all in Consolacion town, said Dignadice.

Dumanjug town needs bigger counterpart funds considering that their Gabaldon building has 16 classrooms.

RAFI targets to complete restoration work of the first ten Gabaldon buildings before June this year.

Dignadice said that that they target to restore at least 30 Gabaldon school buildings in the Province, divided into three batches.

Under the agreement, the Capitol and RAFI will each shoulder 40 percent of the total cost of restoration, while the local government unit (LGU) will pay the remaining 20 percent.— (FREEMAN)