Iloilo city: Three public schools in Iloilo City have received new three-story, six-classroom buildings equipped with information and communications technology and science laboratories. These solar-powered school buildings, each valued at PHP23.5 million, are part of PHP227.3 million worth of educational projects facilitated by Uswag Ilonggo Party-list and funded under the 2024 General Appropriations Act. The projects were officially handed over to Hibao-an Integrated School, Mandurriao Elementary School, and Arevalo Elementary School in separate ceremonies.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lawyer Tiffany Marie Somes, Uswag Ilonggo Party-list paralegal and communications officer, representing Rep. James Ang Jr., highlighted a report from the Second Commission on Education, which noted that the country faces a shortage of 165,443 classrooms, a deficit that could take nearly two decades to resolve. The report also revealed that only 40 percent of Filipinos aged 10 to 14 are digitally literate, due to insufficient digital infrastructure.
"It is true that it would take 20 years to address our classroom shortage. Today, we subtract one year to that 20 years. Why? Because today, we turn over and give to you the new classroom building that we built together with the Department of Public Works and Highways and other stakeholders who made this possible," Somes stated during her address at the Hibao-an Integrated School in the Mandurriao district. She noted that with the addition of new classrooms, students will no longer need to arrive at school early for class shifting.
Iloilo City Public Schools Division Supervisor Laine Arbinoya expressed that the new facilities at Hibao-an Integrated School will significantly benefit learners. The school is set to offer the complete K-12 curriculum next year, thanks to the new building, which allows for the opening of Grade 12. "Education is the best weapon to change the lives of our learners for the better. This building will contribute to their lifelong learning," Arbinoya remarked.
