Nineteen newly rehabilitated classrooms in five public elementary schools in Bantayan Island, Cebu were turned over by Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) to the school beneficiaries last Oct. 12.
RAFI, through its school rehabilitation program, provided P4.37 million for the construction materials needed for the repair of the four Marcos-type and Bagong Lipunan school buildings with a total of 19 classrooms of Tamiao Elementary School, Vito Elementary School, Sillon Elementary School, Baod Elementary School and Kabac Elementary School. The local government of Bantayan shouldered the labor cost of P1.5 million.
A total of 896 pupils benefited from the program.
The school administrators, teachers, parents and the local community ensured the safety of the construction materials in the entire duration of school repair.
Bantayan Mayor Ian Christopher Escario expressed appreciation to the community for their cooperation.
“I commend the teachers and parents for their active participation in the entire project as volunteers and property custodians. Together, we are opening more doors for our children to become successful individuals in the future,” Escario said.
RAFI’s school rehabilitation program (SRP) aims to improve the physical condition of public schools as well as encourage participation among the stakeholders.
“We enjoin the parents, the school community, and the private sector to participate. Our children’s future depends on the improvement of the public schools, and this improvement depends on our participation,” said Amaya Aboitiz, deputy director for operations of RAFI.
Bantayan is one of the municipality beneficiaries of RAFI’s SRP. At least 39 classrooms in 11 schools were already rehabilitated and turned over to the municipality since 2009.
The town is among the second batch of beneficiaries, and has 14 classrooms in five schools that are presently undergoing major repair.
“The lack of funds has made it difficult for the town to address the classroom shortages, and other social services as well. That is why we are very happy with the presence of non-government organizations like RAFI,” Escario said.
Since 2004, the SRP has repaired a total of 498 classrooms in 148 schools in 34 towns in Cebu.
For more information about the program, contact Jicel Reve Gabriel at 418-7234 local 205 or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph or https://schoolrehab.rafi.org.ph.