Iloilo: The Iloilo provincial government has allocated PHP110 million from its PHP250 million school board fund this year to construct new classrooms and enhance school facilities, marking a significant focus for Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. as he enters his final term. This investment highlights the administration's commitment to addressing the pressing needs of the educational sector in the province.
According to Philippines News Agency, Provincial School Board Secretary Freda Fajardo stated that the governor is also exploring the possibility of utilizing savings from the Special Education Fund (SEF) to construct additional classrooms. This comes in response to data from the Department of Education Iloilo Schools Division, which indicates an urgent requirement for 1,655 classrooms. Currently, schools are utilizing 463 makeshift classrooms to accommodate students.
In a proactive measure to address the immediate shortfall, Governor Defensor recently provided 21 tent-type makeshift classrooms to three schools. These structures, inspired by emergency tents from the Philippine Red Cross and UNICEF, are designed to withstand various weather conditions and include features such as elevated ceilings, insulation, electric fan mounts, and lighting. Engineers and architects from the Provincial Engineer's Office designed the tents, which were installed by the General Services Office (GSO). Their durability was tested at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol grounds to ensure they could withstand wind, rain, and heat.
Fajardo noted that these tents could also serve as evacuation centers and mini-hospitals during emergencies and calamities. Among the beneficiaries, Alimodian National Comprehensive High School received 10 units after losing 19 classrooms to a fire on June 2. Ardemil National High School, located in the mountainous barangay of Sara, received nine units, while Leonora S. Salapantan National High School Extension in San Miguel, which serves geographically isolated learners, received two units. The latter's main campus is overcrowded, and the Ardemil facility has been reported to have dilapidated classrooms.
This year, an additional PHP5 million has been set aside specifically for tent classrooms, marking the first pilot implementation of this initiative, which is attributed to Governor Defensor's vision. The project is part of the provincial government's Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (BES Probins) program, which aligns with its commitment to fostering inclusive and resilient education under the MoRProGRes Iloilo plan.
