Two 4-storey school buildings will be constructed in IrisanNational High School area otherwise known as the Baguio City National High School Irisan Annex to cater to the growing population of high school students and address the expected shortage of classrooms in the implementation of the K-12 system.
Initiated by Baguio Rep.Nicasio M. Aliping, Jr. and the Department of Education (DepEd) Baguio, the two buildings will have a total of 52 classrooms.
The first project worth P64.5 million with 32 classrooms was sourced by Rep. Aliping from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). This project is expected to be completed on August 4, 2016.
The second project worth P30.7 million with 20 classrooms was allocated through theDepEd fund. This is expected to be completed on June 27, 2016.
Aliping said this is part of his commitment to further improve and make education available to Baguio citizens especially to indigents. “We aim to accomplish this commitment not only in creating laws to improve our education system but also to source funds through other means for projects that are immediately needed,” said Aliping.
The groundbreaking ceremony last Monday, December 14, was attended by Rep. Aliping, Superintendent Francis Cesar B. Bringas, DepEd Regional Director Ellen Donato, Dr. Elma Donaal, Councilor PoppoCosalan, District Engineer Alexander Castaneda and the Irisan Barangay officials and teachers headed by Brgy. CaptainThomas Dumalti. The project will be undertaken by RU Aquino Construction and Development Corporation.
Aliping was accompanied by the Liberal Party A1 namely Councilors PoppoCosalan, Councilor Leandro Yangot, Councilor Joel Alangsab, JojoCabato, Atty. Ron Peree, Arch. MylenYaranon, Engr. Jun Orca, Rudy Paraan and Art Alad-iw.
Aliping, Vice-chairman of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education has also authoredHB01645 requesting for the conversion of the Irisan National High School into a Technical-Vocational High School that can help pave the way for indigent students for a better chance in attending college.
Aliping said that aside from providing students with easier access to education, it is necessary also to provide them with technical and vocational training that would open to them wider opportunities for employment or gainful activity after they graduate from high school.
“With the improvement of their economic condition, higher education would become more viable for them when they decide to enter college,” stressed Aliping./Carl C. Taawan
