Iloilo City (CNN Philippines) — President Benigno Aquino III inaugurated and turned over a three-storey school building at Pavia National High School (PNHS) in Iloilo on Tuesday (February 9).
Funded by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) and the Departments of Education through Public Works and Highways, the newly-inaugurated 18-classroom school building will cater the Junior and incoming Senior High School students under the K to 12 Program.
The school building, furnished with comfort rooms in each floor, will benefit some 3,000 students of PNHS who hold classes at the school’s covered court.
According to Pavia Mayor Michael Gorriceta, the building costs P40 million and will also be used for evacuation and other community-based activities.
Senate President Franklin Drilon, Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., Rep. Arcadio Gorriceta of Iloilo’s 2nd District, Mayor Michael Gorriceta of Pavia, and Pagcor chair Cristino Naguiat Jr. joined Aquino in the event.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro said he was very thankful to the Aquino administration for prioritizing the education sector.
“Salamat kay President dahil mula 2004-2009, nakapagpatayo po tayo ng 14,000 school building. Sana bago matapos ang administrasyon, mapalitan na po natin yung mga lumang classrooms at yung mga mag re-retire na teachers, mapalitan natin ng mga bagong guro,” Luistro added.
[Tranlation: Thanks to the President, we were able to build 14,000 school buildings from 2004 to 2009. I also hope that before his term ends, the old classrooms, as well as the retiring teachers, will be replaced.”]
Aside from the inauguration, the event also tackled the Panay Island Sitio Energization, which aims to give every household in Panay enough power supply.
The program is administered by the Department of Health (DOH) and National Electrification Administration (NEA).
Around 95% sitios in Panay including Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo have benefited from the project.
Aquino also said that before his term ends, all household will have complete power supply through the electrification project.
Aquino said the newly-operated school building will be a big help especially in catering the needs of the senior high school and other students.
In his speech, Aquino endorsed the Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas and running mate Leni Robredo to the Ilonggos.
“Sa darating na Mayo, sana po pag-isipan nating mabuti kung sino ang mas karapat-dapat na mamuno sa ating bansa at maipagpatuloy ang sinimulan ng matuwid na daan,” he added.
[Tranlation: This coming May, we have to think very carefully who are the right people to lead the country and who will continue taking the straight path.”]
