THE Iloilo Provincial Government is prioritizing the construction and repair of comfort rooms, wash areas, and water systems in public schools in the province.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. convened the Provincial School Board on Wednesday, October 9, to discuss its budget priorities for 2019. The budget is sourced from the Special Education Fund.

The governor recognized that the sanitary facilities are among the basic facilities needed in schools.

"We want to prioritize these facilities as they are at the least budgetary priority of the Department of Education," Defensor said.

Department of Education (DepEd)-Iloilo Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Roel Bermejo was present during the meeting.

Dr. Jerry Bionat, board secretary and chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said that based on record, there are still public schools in the province that lack comfort rooms and water systems.

Bionat encouraged schools to submit request for construction and repair of their facilities because these are included in the board's budget.

The board also discussed other topics, such as the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet and the problem on absenteeism.

The governor will convene with the Provincial School Board again to know the academic programs of DepEd that are relevant to the province and to look for areas of collaboration. (PR)