865 new classrooms up for construction in Bicol

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY – The government will construct at least 865 new classrooms in the Bicol region within the year under the regular school buildings program (RSBP) for calendar year 2013 of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Program supervisor Casiano B. Pendegones Jr. of the DepEd Bicol said that the construction of the school buildings is still under procurement stage, but is expected to be completed within the year.

Pendegones added that the target completion for the one-storey school buildings is on September 2013 while two-storey buildings will be on November to December this year.

Breakdown of the classrooms up for construction includes 69 in Albay, 75 in Camarines Norte, 267 in Camarines Sur, 33 in Catanduanes, 212 in Masbate, 163 in Sorsogon, while 12 in Naga City, 10 in Iriga City, 11 in Masbate City and 13 in Sorsogon City.

Pendegones noted that this city and the cities of Ligao and Tabaco are not included in the program since other school building programs are being undertaken in the areas by Philippine Gaming Corporation or Pagcor-assisted school building project and through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.

He further explained that RSBP is a joint project of DepEd and the Department of Public Works and Highways(DPWH) which intends to address the shortage of classrooms in the country.

Under the program, the DPWH will construct the classrooms, following the prescribed DepEd designs, while the latter will also be in charge of other school facilities such as construction of restrooms and providing classroom furniture.

Pendegones furthered that the construction of classrooms is under the Basic Education Facilities Fund for 2013, wherein some P629,189,000 will be allocated for the fund for construction of classrooms alone which will be administered by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

RSBP specifically targets schools which are categorized under the Red Zone or those which have a ratio of 56 or more students to one classroom; and the Black Zone, or schools which make use of makeshift classrooms and facilities.

Pendegones said that this project mainly aims to provide the students in both elementary and high school an improved environment conducive for learning.

“With better-equipped learning environment, students are able to focus more on their studies and learn more effectively”, Pendogones added.