Bidding for Ermita school project slated next month

CEBU, Philippines - Bidding for the construction of the elementary school in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City will begin next month and construction is scheduled to start by May or June.

Anthony Dignadice, executive director of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated (RAFI) Education Development Unit, said construction is expected to be finished after at least eight months. If the schedule will go as planned, the school may be opened for school year 2015-2016.

RAFI is sponsoring the construction of the P13-million worth four-story building, which will house 12 classrooms. The Cebu City government, meanwhile, purchased the 1,042-square meter lot where the school will be built for P10 million.

During yesterday’s groundbreaking ceremony, Dr. Danilo Gudelosao, education program supervisor of the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Division, said the building may cater to kindergarten and elementary students (up to grade four) depending on how many classes it can accommodate.

Based on DepEd’s initial survey, the building would need to house 1,200 students if it will be opened to kindergarten up to grade three classes and 300 students more if it will be opened up to grade four classes.

Gudelosao said an ideal classroom should only have 45 students and while DepEd can implement a double shifting program, it also needs to consider the quality of education the students would be getting.  

As far as teachers are concerned, Gudelosao said there are existing teachers from the Regino Mercado Elementary School and from the City Central School, but DepEd may hire teachers from the area.

Meanwhile, a student living in the barangay said she is happy that a new school building will be built because it would mean out-school-youth, especially those who are into illegal drugs, may be given a chance at an education.

Venus Cañeda, a grade six student of the city Central School said she is optimistic that she will meet lawyers and engineers from their barangay one day.

Barangay Captain Felicisimo Rupinta also thanked RAFI and the city government for granting their long time wish.

“Matuman na gyud ang gipangayo sa atoang katiguwangan. Matuman na, mas sayon na ang pag-eskuyla  sa atong kabatan-onan kay diin kadaghanan kanila dili ganahan mo eskuyla kay layo,” he said.

“We understand the importance of education enable to develop our children. One of the most important things that we must remember is the youth of today is our nation’s future. Let us ensure that this is only the beginning,” Jon Ramon Aboitiz of RAFI said.  – (FREEMAN)