Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale led the turnover rites of a new school building donated by Cebu province and RAFI to Madridejos National High School. (Contributed)
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale led the turnover of the biggest school building project of the Cebu Provincial government and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) to Madridejos National High School in Madridejos town, Bantayan Island last Feb. 12.
The four-storey, twelve classroom building costs P16.19 million, of which P7.6 million was shouldered by the Capitol and the remaining P8.6 million by RAFI.
Melville Dela Peña, the school principal, was grateful for the new edifice that will house 660 students.
Before the new building’s construction, the school had to hold classes with 60-65 students per classroom, instead of the ideal 50 students per classroom, just to accommodate all the 2,000 students.
“Daku gyud akong pasalamat nga kami ang nakakuha sa building nga pinakadako, pinakataas ug pinakadaghan og classrooms sa tibuok Cebu province (We are very thankful to be chosen as the recipient of the biggest, tallest and the highest number of classrooms school building all over the Cebu province), Dela Peña said.
Madridejos Mayor Salvador Dela Fuente also thanked the benefactors of the project.
“Nagpasalamat ko’g daku kang Governor Davide ug sa RAFI nga ila gyud gi-prioritize ang edukasyon sa mga kabataan (I thank Governor Davide and RAFI for prioritizing education for the youth).”
Moreover, another two-storey, six-classroom school building was also turned over to Marikaban Integrated School (MIS) in Sta. Fe town, Bantayan Island.
The project amounting P8.8 million can accommodate 300 students, which is nearly half of the total school population of 700.
Like the Madridejos National High School, overcrowded classrooms were also the main problem of the school before.
“Sauna, kinahanglan pa mi mogamit sa elementary classrooms aron maluag luag ang mga klase. Maong dako kaayo akong pasalamat sa RAFI ug kang gov. Excited na kaayo mi mo-occupy (Previously, we had to use the elementary classrooms to decongest classes in high school. We are very excited to occupy it),” MIS principal Marjorie Diñoso said.
In his speech during the turnover rites, RAFI Education Development Unit executive director Ernesto Alix expressed thanks to the Cebu provincial government for their continued support to RAFI.
“It is always a privilege to share what we have with the students and with the Cebu Province. So, thank you…” Alix added.
Furthermore, cash incentives worth P3.14 million were also distributed by the province to 1,630 barangay volunteer workers in Bantayan Island.
A total of 642 barangay health workers, 88 day care center workers, and 49 nutrition scholars received P2,400 each, while 819 barangay tanods and 32 animal health aides got P1,500.
Joining Davide and Magpale during the events were Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr., Association of Barangay Council President Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, Councilor Horacio “Raci” Franco III and Ribomapil “Joeyboy” Holganza Jr.