BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
BINGAWAN, Iloilo – The mayor and other municipal officials here fear that lack of classrooms in elementary and high schools would result to poor quality of education.
Mayor Matt Palabrica said the buildings of Bingawan High School, Joveta Alfaras Rivera National High School and some elementary schools had been damaged by super typhoon “Yolanda.”
Some teachers have opted to hold classes in the gym, churches and even under trees, he lamented.
Bingawan, added, however, that the United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) had coordinated with the help of the Department of Education (DepEd) to shoulder the renovation of school buildings’ roofs.
UNICEF has tapped the services of a contractor for the repair of damaged school buildings. In fact, work started in March.
Unfortunately, the contractor has lagged behind his timetable.
“The contractor promised to finish on June 2 but up to now wala pa. Nalu-oy na ako sa sitwasyon sang mga kabataan kay indi gid sila maka hold sang klase kon mag ulan. So I fear low quality of education,” he said.
Palabrica has called the attention of the contractor to finish the renovation before the rainy season comes.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has been helping in reconstructing the buildings and school chairs./PN
