Capitol to build 269 learning shelters

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government will build 269 Temporary Learning Shelters (TLS) across 34 municipalities to provide safe classrooms for students displaced by last year’s twin calamities.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced the initiative as part of the province’s efforts to restore normal schooling in areas where school buildings were damaged or destroyed.

Each TLS is a one-classroom structure designed for a secure and functional learning environment for affected learners.

The provincial government has earmarked roughly ?300 million for the project, with funding to come from the Provincial School Board.

Christopher Baricuatro, executive assistant and focal person of the Provincial School Board, said the allocation was made upon the governor’s instruction. “Governor Pamela instructed the School Board to allocate at least ?307 million,” he said.

Christopher added that the shelters will be distributed among 34 municipalities, prioritizing communities with the most urgent need for replacement classrooms.

Each unit will cost about ?1.1 million, covering the construction of a single-classroom learning space.

The project timeline shows bidding scheduled to begin in March.

Construction of each TLS is expected to take about one month once work starts.

The government is targeting completion of the shelters by May or June, in time to support returning students.

The TLS are intended as temporary structures while permanent school buildings are still undergoing assessment, repair, or reconstruction.

Christopher clarified that the program does not cover component cities, as they belong to a different school division.

He explained that cities are not included because they belong to a different school division, adding that city school boards may allocate their own funds separately.

The province hopes the additional learning spaces will help ensure that students can continue their education safely despite the setbacks caused by the recent disasters. — (FREEMAN)