ILOILO – To address the classroom shortage in this province, the national government has allocated P1.041 billion in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the construction of 160 classrooms, providing a significant boost towards solving the educational infrastructure dilemma.
This funding is expected to reduce the classroom deficit by approximately 40 percent, targeting the current shortage of over 400 classrooms in public schools.
Dr. Ernesto Servillon Jr., Iloilo Schools Division superintendent, expressed gratitude for the support, noting the collective effort from the Schools Division Office to the national level of the Department of Education (DepEd) in addressing the challenge.
The allocation will ensure the equal distribution of classrooms across the province, with recipient schools already identified.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is conducting validations of these schools to oversee the construction process.
“With over 400 classrooms needed, this allocation will cover nearly 40 percent of our requirements,” Servillon explained, emphasizing the positive impact of the financial support on the educational landscape of the province.
Furthermore, the initiative also includes interim solutions, such as the procurement of tents for temporary classrooms, a suggestion welcomed by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
This strategy aims to mitigate the classroom shortage while seeking additional funding to address the full scope of the need.
A recent inspection by provincial officials of a medical tent, which could serve as a model for the temporary classrooms, underscores the proactive steps being taken. These efforts are part of the provincial government’s Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (BES Probins) program, aimed at addressing critical gaps in the education sector, including classroom shortages and reading comprehension deficiencies.
Defensor has highlighted these issues as a “national emergency”, committing to utilizing all available resources to address them before the end of his term in 2025.
The BES Probins program, reflecting the government’s goal to enhancing education in Iloilo, focuses on developing an effective and transformative educational system, supporting infrastructure needs, and aligning with national and regional development plans./PN
