ILOILO – In a proactive move to address classroom shortages in disaster-affected and remote public schools, the Iloilo Provincial Government turned over 21 customized tent-type makeshift classrooms during its flag-raising ceremony yesterday, June 23.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the ceremonial turnover to three schools in dire need of temporary learning spaces: Alimodian National Comprehensive High School, which received 10 units after a fire destroyed 19 of its classrooms; Ardemil National High School in Ajuy, which was given nine units due to an ongoing classroom shortage; and Leonora S. Salapantan National High School Extension in San Miguel, which caters to geographically isolated learners and received two units.
The tent classrooms were designed as part of an innovation by the Provincial School Board (PSB), under Gov. Defensor’s directive. PSB Secretary Maria Freda Fajardo said the idea stemmed from consultations, site inspections, and planning sessions following recent calamities.
Inspired by emergency tents used by the Philippine Red Cross and UNICEF, the governor ordered modifications to suit the needs of learners. Each modular classroom is weather-resistant, climate-adapted, and built with elevated ceilings, thermal insulation, electric fan mounts, and lighting provisions. Engineers and architects from the Provincial Engineer’s Office led the design, while installation was carried out by the General Services Office (GSO).
The prototype was field-tested at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol grounds in February to ensure its durability against heat, wind, and rain.
Beyond their role as temporary classrooms, the tents are also designed to serve as emergency evacuation shelters.
“The tent classroom will also double as temporary evacuation centers in times of calamities and emergencies,” Fajardo said.
Recipient schools received installation and maintenance manuals, and their representatives were oriented on the design’s features. They also joined actual demonstration sessions to familiarize themselves with the classroom setup.
This effort is part of the Capitol’s Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (BES Probins) program, a key initiative under MoRProGRes Iloilo, which aims to deliver inclusive and resilient education solutions across the province.
With this latest move, the Iloilo Provincial Government reinforces its commitment to providing immediate, practical, and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the education sector./PN
