The local government of Kapangan, Benguet, Department of Education-Cordillera, and the City Savings Bank (CitySavings), the thrift arm of Union Bank, inaugurated a one-story classroom building within the Gaswiling Integrated School compound (GIS).
The building, called Salaknib tan Namnama classroom, will cater to incoming grade 7 enrollees of Catiaoan Barrio School and Kaliwaga Barrio School, which are six to eight kilometers away from the GIS.
Construction started towards the end of 2022 and the structure was completed this year.
While public schools continue to accommodate learners for face-to-face classes, classroom shortages, lack of education resources, and facilities that require improvement and rehabilitation persist all over the country, especially in schools that are geographically isolated.
GIS is among these schools. With the unavailability of a high school in the area, DepEd mobilized support to fill in the resource gaps through stakeholder partnerships. Together with CitySavings, the Kapangan LGU and other donors provided funds and construction materials.
The 503rd Infantry Brigade of the 5th Infantry Division and the 51st Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army constructed the building while the Police Regional Office Cordillera gave logistical support.
“The coming together of stakeholders helped us fulfill the mandate of providing interventions related to education delivery, improvement of school facilities, and implementation of impactful education programs in the Cordillera”, DepEd Regional Director Estela Cariño said during the building’s inauguration ceremony last June 22.
Also present during the inauguration, CitySavings External Relations Head Roel Eric Garcia reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to its partnership with the DepEd.
GIS OIC Head Daisy Bacuso Ciano thanked the donors who pooled resources for the construction of classroom. – Press release
