Apas pre-schoolers won’t have rooms

CEBU, Philippines - With public pre-elementary school classes to start on Monday, Apas barangay captain Ramil Ayuman said he is worried about their barangay day care center project which was halted due to opposition from several groups and individuals.

Since the construction was stopped and did not hit the target completion, more than 40 pre-schoolers from Sitio Mahayahay will be transported to the barangay hall where temporary classes will be held.

“Isakay nato ni sila og bus gikan sa Mahayahay padulong sa barangay hall kay didto usa nato ipahigayon ang ilang classes,” Ayuman told reporters.

The proposed location for the Mahayahay Day Care Center is on top of a concrete stage beside a basketball court in a lot owned by the province.

Several hurdles blocked the construction project, latest of which is the order of Acting Governor Agnes Magpale to stop demolition activities in the province-owned lot pending an investigation.

The communication from Magpale to Ayuman was dated May 27.

Ayuman yesterday sought the help of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to convince Magpale and the province to allow the construction because their barangay needed the day care center.

“We will talk to them (province). Someone is already arranging for our meeting with the governor-elect Junjun Davide and vice governor-elect Agnes Magpale,” Rama told Ayuman in front of reporters.

The city mayor earlier expressed intentions to meet with their counterparts at the provincial government to discuss matters concerning both local government units.  MARAI, a homeowners association, claimed ownership over the stage built at the provincial lot and wanted the construction to stop.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young heeded their call and issued a cease and desist order on May 23 while acting as mayor.

In the last elections, Ayuman campaigned for Team Rama, the opposing political party of Young who ran under Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan affiliated with Magpale and Davide’s Liberal Party. — (FREEMAN)