Soldiers construct 40 school buildings in Bohol

MANILA, Philippines - “All is not lost in the AFP. There are commands, divisions, brigades, battalions, companies, platoons, squads, men and women who serve their country with honor and distinction,” this was the message Bohol Rep. Erico Aumentado tried to tell the soldiery in a recent privilege speech.

“I rise to speak on a potential silver lining in the dark, tempestuous clouds hovering over the AFP horizon on allegations of corruption in its high echelon,” he said.

Aumentado cited the National Development Support Command (NADESCOM) headed by Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza, which he said has been involved in the construction of school buildings in Bohol, where he was former governor.

“The AFP unit has constructed 40 two-classroom buildings costing P780,000 each. Each fully painted building has a 56-square meter classroom with toilet, water, electricity, blackboard, steel trusses and heat insulator,” he said.

“NADESCOM has also donated 40 pieces of armchairs for students in every school in the province and a table and chair for teachers,” he said.

He told his colleagues that Holganza’s command has designed an environment-friendly school building for the 2nd district of Bohol, which he said could be easily replicated nationwide.

“It has a dimension of seven meters by nine meters, or 63 square meters, and costs about P1.1 million, which Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Education cannot undoubtedly match. It has an 8,000-liter rain collector to ensure water for the toilet in every classroom as well as for the school garden,” he said.

Aumentado said he and Holganza have presented the school building plan to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson.