Friday, July 25, 2008
CH asks GMA to help build 140 classrooms
THE increase in fuel prices has made it more expensive to build additional classrooms.
Yesterday, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña handed to President Gloria Arroyo a letter made by city education consultant Joy Augustus Young asking for P21.5 million in financial assistance to finish the construction of 140 classrooms.
He said that while before a classroom, particularly the bigger ones typically built in the city, requires P700,000 to P800,000, cost now runs up to a million.
“Pwede siguro makakita ta’g paagi nga ma-pull down to P950,000. Pero ang cost threshold is now very high,” he said.
Senator
The 140 classrooms were constructed from the P100 million Priority Development Assistance Fund of Sergio Osmeña III when he was still senator.
Arroyo, Young said, was instrumental so the release of the fund was expedited.
He said he was confident Arroyo would give the amount, as the classrooms could be considered her project.
Besides, he said, it has always been Arroyo’s thrust to prioritize education, particularly the construction of more classrooms.
Four-story
The Cebu City school board is funding the construction of eight four-story school buildings in barangays Pamutan, Talamban, Alaska, Tisa, Bulacao, Taptap, Buot Taup and Mambaling, with another in Sitio Alaska.
Despite the new 140 classrooms, though, Cebu City still needs 450 more for its bourgeoning number of public school students.
Young said the school board needs the P21.5 million because city hall could not use its own funds to finish the classrooms, which are nationally-funded or implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highway.
Steel roof
Young said a kilo of steel used to cost over P30. Now, he said, it costs P75.
Of the 21.6 million, P6 million will be used to cover the increase in the price of steel, while the rest is for the rent of heavy equipment and construction of ripraps after typhoon Frank damaged school buildings in Buot Taup and Taptap.
Young said he plans to buy second hand steel bars, which are still sturdy and of a far cheaper price, for use in building classrooms.
They, however, will not be used for the pillars, columns, and beams but only for the floorings and walling, he added. (RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 25, 2008 issue)
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