An academic institution situated in Lanao del Sur drastically shattered by past conflict is set to unfold its newly renewed image with the Philippine Army and its partners united as one to improve the educational infrastructure and the prospect of the youth dwelling therein.
True to this, the 103rd Infantry Brigade together with the 51st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army Finance Center Producers Integrated Cooperative (PAFCPIC), municipal government of Butig, and other line agencies and non-government organizations led the ceremonial breaking of ground to signal the start of the restoration of Ragayan Elementary School located in Brgy. Ragayan here.
With P2.6 million in funding from the PAFCPIC, such a project intends to rehabilitate the one-story school building with eight classrooms for the benefit of 218 students enrolled in Grades 1 to 6, and eight teachers.
103rd Infantry Brigade Deputy Commander Col. Billy Dela Rosa recalled that it was from 2015 to 2016 when the school became a refuge of the local terrorist Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) when it attacked Butig town and strengthened their cluster there.
As their foes occupied the school, he was sad that they had no choice but to pursue an encounter in that area, which resulted in the devastation of the academic building.
Dela Rosa stated that it was only when they recently visited the school that he became dejected after witnessing the current ruins in the area. They were determined to find partners who could help them in their noble plan, especially since he acknowledged that education is a vital aspect of the dynamics of the entire province.
He was, nonetheless, exhilarated looking back on the positive response of PAFCPIC, who pledged to shoulder the reconditioning of the school after they submitted a project proposal.
Seeing the long-term impact they could bring to the community, PAFCPIC Vice President for Membership Affairs and Community Services Arlene Villaflor guaranteed they could still sponsor more projects, only if they could obtain additional project proposals.
“Ito ay malaking bagay para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga mag-aaral… Basta may mga project proposal pa kaming matatanggap mula dito sa ating mga partner, lalo na sa Philippine Army, at kaya naman natin siyang suportahan at tugunan ay pwede mangyari ang mga future project,” she said.
(This is a big thing for the future of our students. As long as we receive project proposals from our partners, especially the Philippine Army, and we can support and address them, future projects are possible.)
Apart from repairing the school, the Ministry of Public Order and Safety likewise promised to construct a covered court for the same school, while the United States Institute of Peace assured to donate furniture and fixtures, and the Strategic Communications and Capacity Building Project provided school supplies.
Overwhelmed by the flooding assistance, Dela Rosa was confident that with the efforts of some private stakeholders, the needy learners of the target institution would soon welcome a place conducive to learning.
“With these partners around us, I am certain that this school will be rehabilitated and become the best symbol of coordination and collaboration among stakeholders,” he said. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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