Rama, Labella visit schools during first day of classes

CEBU, Philippines - Officials yesterday checked schools in the urban and mountain barangays of Cebu City following the resumption of classes, which were suspended following the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu and Bohol 21 days ago.

Mayor Michael Rama went to the south district and checked on the elementary schools of Bulacao, Inayawan, Poblacion Pardo, Quiot, Mambaling, and Punta Princesa; and Basak San Nicolas’ Community High School and Don Vicente Rama Memorial High School.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, on the other hand, said he visited schools in the mountain areas of the north district.

Rama observed that there were barangay sports complexes used as makeshift classrooms because of school buildings that were rendered unsafe for occupancy by the earthquake.

He said teachers also did stress debriefing sessions with their students to help them better adapt to the situation.

“Di man mahimo nga (It cannot be that we would have) suspension of classes na pud (again),” Rama said in explaining why classes started even when there is a lack of classrooms to use.

Labella also said that he learned from school principal Edwin Villamor that six quake-damaged classrooms in Toong Elementary School were not used.

In Pamutan  Elementary School, school-in-charge Pilar Sanchez told the vice mayor that all classrooms there were occupied, except for those whose construction is yet to finish.

In Buhisan Elementary School, two classrooms were left vacant, unlike in Malubog Elementary School where all its buildings were declared safe for use.

Labella said he brought with him several used tarpaulins to serve as improvised tents for classes in Toong. He would distribute two more for Buhisan today.

He said the improvised tents are more useful than the commercial tents.

“Kaning atong (Our) improvised tents are more useful because they can accommodate lots of children. Gamit lang (We just need) bamboo as posts, lig-on na kaayo ang (we already have sturdy) makeshift classrooms,” Labella said.

He said the Local School Board requested 100 tents for schools whose buildings were affected by the earthquake; but it would take two weeks before they could be distributed.

“This is urgent so kinahanglan ta’g (we came up with) improvised tents considering nga nag-start na ang classes,” Labella said.

He would continue checking on the schools in the mountain barangays today.

Rama, on the other hand, will meet the Local School board Thursday to discuss the schools that are yet to be repaired.

School’s Division Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud said 18 of the 122 schools in Cebu City were severely damaged by the Oct. 15 earthquake.—/RHM (FREEMAN)