Tuesday, October 10, 2007 Barangay Tinago builds center for children
BUILDING a second home for kids where they can play and learn at the same time is almost always an afterthought for barangay officials.
Not in Tinago, Cebu City.
It just inaugurated a two-story multi-purpose building with an air-conditioned daycare center on the ground floor.
“It is good to invest in the children. It should be,” said Barangay Captain Joel Garganera.
The building was funded by a P2 million donation from Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north), P1 million as barangay counterpart, and P500,000 from the National Confederation of Cooperatives.
Mini-playground
The day care center, with 30 students each in its morning and afternoon sessions, also has a mini-playground aside from colorful instructional materials. Its teacher receives honoraria from the barangay and the City Government.
Garganera said he and the barangay councilors had the children in mind when they planned to build the structure. He said that Tinago, with mostly squatters as residents, is characterized by homes mostly clumped together to maximize space. But with the day care, the children are made to feel a different world, where they have the freedom of space, and a comfortable room where they can learn.
“They would feel that they are not in the middle of a crowded residential area,” Garganera said.
The second floor of the building is used as room for non-formal Education and skills training, while the roof deck serves as recreation area.
Garganera said they are thinking of buying a rubber pool and place it at the roof deck for the children.
Ideas
In last Sunday’s building inauguration, del Mar lauded Tinago officials for coming up with the building.
Garganera said they have also organized the children’s parents to come up with ideas for the day care center.
And Tinago is entering into an agreement with World Vision Development Inc., which will donate six computer units if the barangay buys six units as counterpart project.
Tinago also has another day care center in its barangay hall as well as a street education program at the pier area. (RHM)
