Thursday, October 09, 2008 DepEd constructs 3 school buildings in 4th district
MINALIN -- Despite the P3-billion cut in its annual budget, the Department of Education (DepEd) is still persistent in providing school buildings to further improve the country's educational program.
DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus, who recently turned over one school building at the Sto. Domingo Elementary School, said they "will surely be affected" by the huge cut in its budget, but that despite this the DepEd is still bent on providing quality education to the public.
"Of course we cannot let these things hamper our operation. As you can see we have just constructed three classroom buildings in the towns of Minalin, Macabebe, and Masantol, which will not only be used by students but can also be used during times of evacuation," Lapus said.
The DepEd secretary said the school buildings were made of dependable materials, which are "typhoon-resistant and flood-free."
He added that these are elevated at least three to four feet with complete facilities such as comfort rooms and a dividing wall that can be used during social functions.
Fourth District Representative Anna York Bondoc-Sagum said the school buildings will be of great help in further improving the educational system in this town.
"We are very grateful that we are the beneficiaries of three buildings in Masantol,Macabebe, and Minalin. We really need them in flood-prone areas. We are very grateful to Secretary Lapuz" Sagum said.
The lawmaker said she is also working with the DepEd and Apalit Technical High School (now known as Gonzales Technical HS) to provide training to fourth year graduating students so they could develop skills that would help them get a job.
Sagum added that she has already allotted about a P1-million budget for students of Apalit Technical High School.
Currently, there are 900 students at the said school, which is considered one of the advance and modern HS in the fourth district.
She said she is against the slashing of the budget of DepEd, saying many congressmen in Pampanga share her sentiments. (Chris Navarro)
