The Tribune tried to secure information as to who among the Catanduanes LGUs have qualified to implement infrastructure projects of the Department of Education (DepEd) pursuant to the memorandum of agreement signed last week in Malacanang Palace.
According to a ranking official, the provincial government has already secured a certification as to its capability and readiness to implement DepEd projects and is only awaiting the resolution of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan granting authority to Gov. Patrick Alain T. Azanza to enter into the agreement.
There are reports that among the 11 towns, San Andres, Caramoran and Pandan have already qualified for the partnership supported by the 2026 General Appropriations Act, which allocated P85.39 billion for basic education facilities.
For the first tranche, the government has allocated P9.6 billion, of which P4.1 billion will fund the construction of about 1,200 classrooms by provincial governments, while more than P5 billion will fund the delivery of around 2,800 prefabricated classrooms by DepEd.
Under DepEd’s share of the national budget, the P85.39 billion allocated for basic educational facilities is broken down as follows: P65.9 billion for the construction, replacement, and completion of kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school buildings and technical vocational laboratories, including those situated in the last mile schools; construction or installation of learning continuity spaces; purchase or acquisition of existing buildings constructed on alienable lot to be used as school buildings; installation or replacement of disability access facilities such as, but not limited to, ramps, handrails, tactile paving, and end-of-trip facilities, in compliance with accessibility principles; the construction of water and sanitation facilities; and site improvement such as school ground site levelling, slope protection, demolition of obstructions and unsafe structures, and construction of drainage system, fence and gate; among others, in all income class municipalities and cities.
Another P2 billion is intended for the construction of kindergarten, elementary, and secondary medium-rise school buildings and technical vocational laboratories; installation or replacement of disability access facilities such as, but not limited to, ramps, handrails, and tactile paving and end-of-trip facilities, in compliance with accessibility principles; the construction of water and sanitation facilities; and site improvement such as school ground site levelling, demolition of obstructions and unsafe structures, and construction of drainage system, fence and gate, among others, in priority areas with high population and enrollment rate.
About P7.7 billion will be spent for the rehabilitation, renovation, repair, and improvement of kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school buildings following the “Repair All Policy”, including all access facilities for persons with disabilities, repair of water and sanitation facilities, and site improvement such as school ground site levelling, demolition of obstructions and unsafe structures, and construction of drainage system, fence and gate, among others.
One billion pesos is set aside for library and innovation hub buildings while P2.2 billion is budgeted for the
completion of unfinished school buildings, with priority to sites certified on structural integrity, located in schools with high enrolment and pose immediate safety hazards.
Presumably, DepEd Catanduanes will prioritize the completion of the uncompleted school buildings abandoned by DPWH contractors, including the three-story edifice at Viga Rural Development High School and two other sites.
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CONGRATULATIONS. The paternity case involving a well-known pro ball player was all in the gossip columns for weeks, and the judge’s decision was eagerly awaited.
On the appointed day, the magistrate emerged from his chambers with a suitably solemn expression. His black robe trailing impressively behind him, he ascended the steps to the bench and looked down gravely on the sea of faces awaiting his decision.
Finally, the judge took a deep breath, withdrew a cigar from the recesses of his robe, and handed it to the defendant with a flourish.
“Congratulations,” he pronounced solemnly. “You have just become a father.”