Iloilo City: The local government here has appropriated about PHP711.7 million from the Special Education Fund (SEF) for the construction of public school buildings in Iloilo City. 'Because of the demand, especially with the senior high school, we badly need more classrooms,' Special Assistant to the Mayor Mathilde Tre±as said Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the SEF is sourced from one percent of the real property tax. This year, Tre±as mentioned that the city government completed the construction of a two-story six-classroom building at A. Celis Memorial School; a two-story 10-classroom building at Baluarte Elementary School; a two-story 10-classroom building and a two-story eight-classroom building at Jalandoni National High School; and a three-story 12-classroom building at Jalandoni Memorial Elementary School.

Also completed and already in use are the four-story eight-classroom building at Iloilo City National High School; a three-story 30-classroom building and a two-story eight-classroom building at the Tiu Cho Teg-Ana Ros Foundation Integrated Farm School; and the four-story 12-classroom building at the Tabucan Elementary School.

Meanwhile, construction is ongoing in eight school buildings. These are the two units of two-story four-classroom buildings, a two-story eight-classroom building, and a three-story 12-classroom building at the Nabitasan Integrated School; the two-story eight-classroom building at Hibao-an Integrated School; the four-story 16-classroom building at La Paz National High School; the three-story six-classroom building at La Paz I Elementary School; the two units of two-story six classroom buildings at La Paz II Elementary School; and the two-story six classroom building at the Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School.

'The Iloilo City Government goes beyond just building classrooms. We continue to support our schools by shouldering costs for electricity, water, Internet, utility workers, and city-paid teachers because we believe that investing in education is investing in the future of Iloilo City,' Tre±as said. Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Tre±as visited Iloilo City National High School on Tuesday to check on the condition of school facilities and their readiness for the school year.