Wednesday, December 12, 2007 Segregation of PMA, BC reservations sought for Itogon school By Jane Cadalig
THE Provincial Board of Benguet has asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines and a mining firm to exclude portions of their reservations to accommodate the construction of a school for children in nearby Itogon villages.
This is in support to the request of the Kias-Virac Residence Association Inc. for the segregation of a portion of the Philippine Military Academy reservation and the mineral claims of Benguet Corporation to pave the way for the construction of a school for elementary and high school students from these areas.
Residents of Kias and Virac requested a lot for the establishment of the school after PMA announced that the Fort Del Pilar Elementary School would soon be closed to give way to the contruction of additional PMA facilities.
Representatives from PMA, BC, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Cordillera, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, provincial officials and village residents earlier met to address the plight of the residents.
The Board then passed a resolution of commitment for the establishment of schools at Kias and Virac in Itogon, as it asked the DENR-CAR to assist in the request for the exclusion of portions of the military reservation and mineral claims for the construction of elementary and secondary buildings in these areas.
The legislative body's commitment is needed as one of the basis for action from the head management of BC and PMA.
