Comval turns over another “bayanihan” school build in Maco

MACO Compostela Valley, July 30 - What used to be constructed for 45 days if done by contractor, the 1 unit-4 classroom building was completed for just 22 days for the use of students in New Leyte National High school Annex. 

Thanks to the “bayanihan” spirit and public-private partnership (PPP) espoused by the national government, the townsfolk has another  reason to smile as they welcome guests and participants on the morning of July 28 in Brgy. Teresa, Maco, Compostela Valley.

“Daku kaayo ning ikatabang sa among pag eskuwela, kung sauna, mahunong among klase kung ting-ulan, karon dili na ug maka-concentrate nami kay di naman gud saba,” Jovito Dansigan Jr., a 4th Year HS student and Supreme Student Government (SSG) President, said.

Dansigan describes their old school building where a makeshift tarpaulin serves as roof for an extended room where they hold classes. When it rains, the holes from the old canvass pours down on them and the students are forced to huddle in a dry corner.  Noise is also a problem as the rooms are closely adjacent to each other.

Now, the fully painted, concreted walls, landscaped and with complete school chairs, blackboard and  electric lights stands conspicuously

Barangay Captain Felipe Obligana, School Principal Elena Paloma and the Department of Education-Comval  expressed their deep gratitude saying it was an answered prayer as the shortage of classroom buildings are always a perennial problem and they are fortunate that the local governments in ComVal have been responsive to their needs.

The construction is made possible through the “Kalinga sa Kabataan, Bayanihan sa Paaralan” (KKBSP) program initiated by the provincial government  of Comval under Gov. Arturo Uy. To date, more than 63 classrooms have already been built province-wide.  It banks on “bayanihan” or massive volunteerism enjoining the government employees, teachers, students, parents, various sectors and the community  to join in the labor work for free. Meanwhile, the cost of materials are donated through private partnership or from funds raised by the local government.

For the Annex school, Apex Mining Company has donated P1M and P300,000 from the barangay for the material costs.  

Also present in the turnover are Vice Gov. Manuel Zamora, SP Members Ruwel Peter Gonzaga and Raul Timogtimog, Maco Vice Mayor AC Voltaire Rimando, Apex Mining representatives, DepEd-Comval, Department Heads of PLGU Comval, and other guests and local officials.

In the afternoon, a medical outreach is conducted catering to the townsfolk with medical services  including circumcision/“tuli,” medical check up, dental extraction, minor surgery and family planning commodities to be given as well as medicines and vitamins. (fe maestre/ids comval)