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Asturias
Mayor Alan Adlawan (third from left) led the unveiling of the
marker of a new school building of Asturias Central School. With
him are (left to right) school Guidance Councilor Ana Noemi
Buhia, Town Councilor Letecia Orozco, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation
Inc. (RAFI) Micro-finance deputy director for operations Ailyn
Lim, RAFI Education Development Unit executive Director Anthony
Dignadice, and RAFI Micro-finance Cebu south area manager Naomi
Navacilla. |
No school’s too far
By Ramon Aboitiz Foundation
Inc.
March 20, 2015
CEBU CITY – For a
school in a far-flung barangay to become a recipient of well-built
classrooms would seem like an unlikely reality to its teachers and
pupils. For who would notice them when they are located far, far away?
With its goal of extending
help in rural areas and providing public school children with a better
and quality learning environment, however, the Ramon Aboitiz
Foundation Inc. (RAFI), ably supported by its partners, definitely
did.
Last February 13, RAFI, the
local government of Asturias town, and the Department of Education (DepEd)
turned over 24 classrooms (eight school buildings) in seven schools of
the town.
The recipients were the
elementary schools of Barangays Lunas II, Owak, Baye, San Isidro, Tag-amakan,
and Sta. Lucia, and the Asturias Central School.
The total cost of the
project, which was in line with RAFI Education Development Unit’s
(EDU) School Rehabilitation Program, was P16.31 million.
RAFI-EDU Executive Director
Anthony Dignadice said the foundation extending assistance to Asturias
is also a result of its being the “most consistent partner in (the
school) rehabilitation program,” because “education has been their
(town officials) first priority”.
The teachers and students,
too, was grateful of the effort.
“Happy kaayo mi unya naka-feel
mi we’re not left behind bisag unsa kalayo. Kay naay ni-care ug ni-support.
Guba kaayo among building naayo na. We hope that the commitment will
continue and they will not lose interest,” said Sta. Lucia Elementary
School Principal Lucita Ynoy after formally receiving on behalf of
DepEd the new classrooms.
Under her leadership, the
school also used the excess paint in beautifying the other classrooms
and excess cement for the school ground so the classrooms would not
get muddy when it rains.
“Thank you. Even though our
place is very far, they still spent time and gave us importance,” also
said Baye Elementary School teacher Regielito Almerez.
Baye Elementary School, on
the other hand, used the excess materials in constructing a new school
gate and additional comfort rooms for students.
And despite her young age,
Janine Raelas, a Grade 1 pupil of Sta. Lucia Elementary School, was
appreciative of her new classroom.
”Thank you kay gitagaan mi
bag-ong classroom. Daghan na mi ug classroom,” she beamed, a sweet
smile radiating from her face.
Kids like her makes those
distant schools never too far.
