Eight schools in the city and province of Iloilo are recipients of school building projects expected to be completed in time for next year’s school opening, after a simultaneous groundbreaking ceremony at the Iloilo National High School (INHS) here Friday afternoon.

The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Rep. James Ang Jr., and Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor.

The projects included the PHP23.5 million three-story six-classroom school building each for Hibao-an (Integrated) Elementary School, Arevalo Elementary School, Iloilo Central School, Uswag San Isidro Elementary School, and Mandurriao Elementary School; and the PHP31.5 million four-story eight classroom building for Fort San Pedro National High School and Iloilo City National High School, all under the Schools Division of Iloilo City.

A PHP46.8 million four-story 12-classroom building will be constructed for INHS.

Ang facilitated the fund requirement of the projects at the request of Defensor and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas to address the lack of classrooms.

“Each province, each town, we have one project. We will have one project for each school in every municipality because I believe this project will have a major impact on education,” Ang said in an interview.

Schools Division of Iloilo City Superintendent Ma. Luz De Los Reyes, in a separate interview, said the projects would have a huge impact, especially on secondary schools.

De Los Reyes said one of the recipients, the Iloilo City National High School, still lacks 60 classrooms to achieve the one classroom to one class ratio amid the project and other buildings funded through the local government’s Special Education Fund.

Meanwhile, the Fort San Pedro National High School has begun implementing shifting schedules to accommodate its growing population.

“We are very thankful that our party-list Rep. Jojo Ang has given this attention. We have seven schools chosen for the project. And we are still hoping that other schools will also receive projects for the coming years,” she said. (PNA)