Interim classrooms underway in South Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — At least eight temporary classrooms will soon rise in public schools across southern Cebu after Governor Pamela Baricuatro led the groundbreaking ceremonies Saturday, July 4, for the province-funded Temporary Learning Shelter (TLS) program.

The temporary learning facilities will benefit schools in the municipalities of Boljoon, Alcoy, Dalaguete, and Argao while awaiting the completion of permanent school buildings and other long-term infrastructure improvements.

The project is part of the Capitol's provincewide TLS program, which seeks to provide additional learning spaces for schools facing classroom shortages due to increasing student populations and aging or inadequate facilities.

Under the project, three TLS units will be constructed at El Pardo Elementary School in Boljoon.

One unit each will also be built for Bala-as Elementary School and Langtad Elementary School in Argao, Mantalongon Elementary School and Obong Elementary School in Dalaguete, and Pasol-Pugalo Integrated School in Alcoy.

The provincial government allotted P9,120,882.96 for the construction of the eight temporary learning shelters.

During the groundbreaking ceremonies, Baricuatro emphasized that education remains among the priorities of the provincial government as it continues investing in school infrastructure across Cebu.

"Ang inyong provincial government naa ra nagpaluyo ninyo, naningkamot unsaon na ma arang-arang ang kahimtang sa atong mga eskwelahan," Baricuatro said.

She also assured school officials, teachers, and local government leaders that additional provincial funding would be allocated for selected schools that are set to receive two-storey classroom buildings.

The governor said the province remains committed to improving learning conditions by addressing immediate classroom needs while preparing for more permanent educational facilities.

Provincial School Board focal person Christopher Baricuatro earlier said that 252 out of the planned 269 TLS across Cebu have already undergone the bidding process, allowing construction activities to commence by mid- to late June.

The remaining 17 TLS projects, most of which are intended for island municipalities, will undergo another round of bidding after the Capitol determined that the approved budgets were insufficient because of higher construction costs in island areas.

According to provincial data, constructing one TLS classroom in mainland Cebu costs an estimated P1,141,418, while the cost increases to about P1,185,306 in island municipalities due to logistical requirements.

The Capitol had earlier secured approximately P295 million to implement the provincewide TLS program, with each temporary classroom estimated to cost around P1.1 million.

The TLS are designed to serve as interim learning spaces while permanent school buildings undergo assessment, repair, or reconstruction.

The province's TLS program covers several mainland municipalities, including Minglanilla, Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Barili, Dumanjug, Ronda, Moalboal, Alegria, Badian, Malabuyoc, Ginatilan, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Carmen, Catmon, and Sogod.

The program also includes island municipalities such as Poro, Tudela, and Pilar, where construction costs are relatively higher because of transportation and material delivery requirements.

Present during the groundbreaking ceremonies were Dalaguete Mayor Nelin Tambis, Argao Mayor Allan Sesaldo, Vice Mayor Atty. Orvi Ortega, Second District Provincial Board Member Raymond Calderon, Boljoon Councilors Marvin Ian Niere, Merlou Derama, Monit Fedillaga, and Lindzey Romero, Argao Councilor Jag Lucero, Liga ng mga Barangay President Rainier Rumaguera, and Department of Education Cebu Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Willy Adonay.

Aside from the school infrastructure activity, the Capitol also facilitated the turnover of 20 industrial fans to several barangays in Argao through the Local Assistance Fund of Calderon, with the support and approval of the Office of the Governor. — (FREEMAN)