Better schools for Bantayan

By Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
November 13, 2012

CEBU CITY  –  From being old and dilapidated, nineteen classrooms in five public elementary schools in Bantayan are now good as new after the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), through its School Rehabilitation Program (SRP), and volunteers conducted school repairs and clean-ups.

Last Oct. 12, RAFI turned over these classrooms to Tamiao Elementary School, Vito Elementary School, Sillon Elementary School, Baod Elementary School, and Kabac Elementary School. A total of 896 pupils benefited from the program.

RAFI provided a total of P4.37 million to cover for the material cost of the repair and rehabilitation of the four Marcos-type and Bagong Lipunan school buildings while the local government unit of Bantayan shouldered the P1.5 million labor cost.

As beneficiaries and proponents of the project, the school administrators, teachers, parents, and the local community of the five schools mentioned ensured the safekeeping of the construction materials for the duration of the school repair.

The SRP of RAFI aims not just to improve the physical condition of public schools but also encourage participation among the stakeholders.

“We enjoin the parents, the school community, and the private sector to take on the responsibility of actively participating as owners of the public school system. Our children’s future depends on the improvement of the public schools, and this improvement depends on our participation,” Amaya Aboitiz, deputy director for operations of RAFI, said.

Bantayan Mayor Ian Christopher Escario expressed his appreciation to the community for their cooperation.

“I commend the teachers and parents for their active participation in the entire project as volunteers and property custodians. Together, we are opening more doors for our children to become successful individuals in the future,” Escario said.

Bantayan has been one of the municipality beneficiaries of RAFI’s SRP since 2009. So far, 39 classrooms in 11 schools were already turned over and completed through the program.

“The lack of funds has made it difficult for the town to address the classroom shortages, and other social services as well.

That is why we are very happy with the presence of non-government organizations like RAFI who are willing to help address our problems in education,” Escario added.

Bantayan is still part of the program’s second batch of schools, and has 14 classrooms in five schools that are presently undergoing major repair.

Since 2004, SRP has repaired a total of 498 classrooms in 148 schools in 34 towns in Cebu.

SRP is a program under the Education focus area of RAFI, creating a conducive and engaging learning environment to nurture the love for learning. RAFI's other focus areas are Integrated Development, Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, and Leadership & Citizenship.