P128M allotted for school damaged in plane crash

The government has allocated P128 million from this year’s calamity fund to replace a school building in Parañaque City that was razed by fire after a plane crashed into a nearby vacant lot beside a row of shanties in Better Living Subdivision earlier this month.

According to a statement issued by Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad, the money will be used for the “immediate” construction of a new 80-classroom building for F. Serrano Elementary School.

Abad said that the calamity fund was tapped because the Department of Education (DepEd) quick response fund had already been earmarked for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of other projects.

“A thorough evaluation by the DepEd found irreparable damage to the building, which then had to be completely demolished,” he added.

Abad said that the new building, once completed, should be able to accommodate the school’s 2,652 students.

“We will build enough rooms so the school administration can conduct a single-shift program for its students instead of putting them on the usual double shift,” Abad stated.

“Once the reconstruction is finished, classes will be back to normal and students can have a school environment more conducive to learning,” he said.

In a related development, the budget chief said that the government was allotting P90.3 million for a comprehensive scholarship program to support 1,050 scholars in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary medicine education.

“We need to develop a steady base of competent professionals who will unlock the potential of our agriculture and fisheries sector,” Abad stated.

The money, which will come from the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, covers the full amount of tuition and other fees, and will be paid directly to the schools concerned.

Established in 1996, the Acef is meant to support farmers and fisherfolk, cooperatives, and agribusiness entrepreneurs to compete in an increasingly globalized agriculture market.