Two more SEDIP school buildings turned over
By Bong Pedalino
TOMAS OPPUS, Southern Leyte (16 July) -- Another set of two school buildings built under the Secondary Education Development Improvement Project (SEDIP) were turned over to the student government of Don Agustin F. Escano National High School (DAFENHS) here Friday, July 13.
There have been many buildings finished under the said program of the Department of Education (DepEd), but this was the first such activity undertaken by the new administration of Gov. Damian Mercado.
However, Gov. Mercado was unable to attend due to a prior commitment, and in his stead Provincial Board Member Atty. Teopisto Rojas, the Chair of the SP Committee on Education, represented him.
The two buildings that were turned over were intended to be used for Home Economics and School Library, the overall project cost amounting to over two million pesos.
In her brief talk, Mayor Felicula Escano said her administration has focused on providing the youths with a treasure that cannot be stolen, referring to quality education.
She revealed that in the recent result of a nationwide test the school in barangay Mapgap emerged number one, while another school in barangay Carnaga also landed in the top of the list for multi-grade schools.
DAFENHS received the most number of school buildings, Mayor Escano said, adding that the school should exert more effort to recover its low rating in the national tests.
A symbolic key was passed from the Contractor to Board Member Rojas representing the provincial government, to Mayor Escano, to Schools Division Supt. Violeta Alocilja, to the Parents-Teachers Association official, and finally to the Student government through its President Magdalina Maymay, to signify transfer of ownership and responsibility of upkeep and maintenance of the new structure.
For his part, Board Member Rojas reiterated both Gov. Mercado and Cong. Roger Mercado's desire to support quality education in the province, as well as the provision of farm-to-market roads to interior barangays and livelihood assistance to farmers and fisherfolks.
Meanwhile, Division Supt. Alocilja expressed his hope that the new building would provide an environment conducive to learning.
Board Member Agustin Escano, husband of Mayor Escano, also attended the turn-over rites as well as parents and students of the school. (PIA-Southern Leyte) [top]
