ILOILO City – A P55-million grant from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is set to accelerate Iloilo City’s construction of additional classrooms as the local government races to keep pace with steadily rising enrollment in public schools.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said the fresh funding would strengthen the city’s continuing classroom-building program as the growing number of students keeps adding pressure on existing school facilities.
“Padayon ang city government sa pagpatindog sang classrooms, pero kada tuig nagadugang man ang aton enrollees,” Treñas said.
“Dako pa gid ang aton lalagson, gani ang P55 million from PAGCOR makabulig gid para madugangan ang classrooms para sa aton kabataan,” she added.
The city government formalized the assistance through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with PAGCOR, with Councilor Miguel Treñas representing the local government during the signing.
Treñas said the additional funding would allow the city to accelerate the construction of learning spaces needed by public schools grappling with increasing student populations.
The city has been financing classroom construction through its Special Education Fund (SEF), which is sourced from a portion of real property tax collections.
Despite sustained investments, however, the city continues to face a classroom shortage as enrollment grows and several public schools require additional spaces to accommodate students.
Treñas said the persistent demand underscores the need for partnerships with national government agencies and other institutions because local government resources alone cannot fully address the problem.
“Indi ini masarangan sang city government lang. Gani dako gid ang aton pasalamat kon may ara kita partners nga handa magbulig,” Treñas said.
“At the end of the day, ang makabenepisyo sini amo ang aton mga kabataan,” she added.
The city government thanked PAGCOR chairman and chief executive officer Alejandro H. Tengco, Department of Education secretary Sonny Angara and other officials and stakeholders who helped secure the assistance./PN
