THE lack of school buildings is still a problem in Cordillera region.
From the 2,833 target buildings of 2014-2017, at least 1,353 were completed while 1,480 are still under or have yet to start construction.
Geraloy Palao-ay, Department of Education–Cordillera information officer, said there is a huge budget allotted for the construction of school buildings, however, the lack of bidders and impotence of contractors were cited as major problem behind the backlog.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was allotted P5.1 billion for the construction of school buildings.
Palao-ay added in 2014 and 2015, data shows almost all provinces have 100 percent completion rate for school buildings.
For 2017, only 3.73 percent of completed schools were recorded in Abra and 15.24 percent in Ifugao.
Prior to the school opening, Balik Eskwela teams from the regional office conducted field monitoring and assess issues and concerns in different divisions.
The lack of classrooms was cited as the top problem recorded for Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet.
“We have to admit it is the problem we face every year. We cannot keep pace with the increase of population. After senior high school, many from other municipalities consider La Trinidad with universities and colleges accessible,” added Paloa-ay.
Palo-ay added other schools have used makeshift classrooms.
For school year 2018-2019, tentative enrollment in public and private schools for the elementary and secondary schools in the region is set to reach 422,973.