Facilities ravaged through time restored with Capitol, RAFI’s help
The Americans constructed Gabaldon buildings in the country to facilitate learning for new students.
These buildings have elevated concrete bases and wooden structures with spacious corridors.
Approximately 3,000 school buildings of the Gabaldon type were erected all over the Philippines during the American colonial period (1898-1945).
About 80 years later, Gabaldon buildings are still standing but are slowly degrading.In Dalaguete town in southern Cebu, principals of Obong Elementary School and Balud Elementary School said termites caused damage to the Gabaldon buildings in their respective schools.
Obong Elementary School principal Socorro Cejudo and Balud Elementary School principal Allan Bustamante expressed gratitude to the Cebu provincial government, local government unit (LGU) of Dalaguete and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) for renovating the 2 Gabaldon buildings.
“Mga upat ka tuig sad namo wala nagamit ang Gabaldon, gi-anay naman gud kaayo (We haven’t used the Gabaldon building for almost four years now due to severe damage caused by termites),” said Cejudo.
Bustamante said that although still usable, the Gabaldon building in Balud needed major repairs.
Gov. Hilario Davide III said that the school plays a big role in shaping the character of the students.
“It is very easy to be polite and helpful if you are in a clean and happy surrounding. This is where students start to become responsible and useful citizens,” he said.
Davide highlighted the importance of public-private partnership that contributed to the success of the project.
A total of P932,000 was spent for the restoration of the two school buildings. The provincial government and RAFI each covered 40 percent of the total cost while the local government of Dalaguete took care of the remaining 20 percent. “Ato’ng makita nga kon maghiusa ug magtinabangay ta, daghan ta ug mabuhat ilabi na alang sa mga estudyante (This project showed that unity and cooperation can lead us to accomplishing more),” said Provincial Board Member Peter John Calderon.
The restored Gabaldon buildings now house homerooms of Grades 2 and 3 students in Obong and Grades 2, 3 and 5 in Balud.
Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante said the Gabaldon buildings in Mantalongon Elementary School and Saksak Elementary School will be rehabilitated next.