Then and now

In time for this year’s school opening in June, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) turned over this month a concrete high school building to Barangay Manual, in Kibalawan, Davao Del Sur, constructed through the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the core programs of DSWD which espouses the community driven development approach (CDD) towards achieving progress within the community.  It aims to empower people through sustainable development, enhanced participation in local governance, and management of poverty alleviation projects.

The school building was constructed based on the proposal of the community members utilizing the amount of P2,750,635 for its completion. It replaced the old structure which was made of amakan or bamboo matting.

A ceremony attended by parents, students, and school officials was held to formalize the turnover of the new school building to the school administration.

The ceremonial cutting of ribbon was led by Hon. Mayor Carl Jason Rama, DSWD Undersecretary Mae Fe Ancheta-Templa, and Kalahi-CIDSS Regional Program Coordinator Ma. Elena S. Labrador.

More conducive to learning

“We have been using our previous classrooms since 2013. The structure does not have solid walls as it is made of amakan. The teachers had to somehow speak way beyond their normal voice range, almost at shouting level, just for students to hear them. And with several classes on-going at the same time, just imagine how hard it is for everyone,” Rosalita A. Estropia, the school principal,  said.

The new school one-unit building with three classrooms are painted in light green and white and comes with brand new armchairs and blackboards.

“The additional rooms will improve our students’ previous classroom conditions,” noted Estropia, who further stressed that the rooms will no longer be overcrowded, making it more conducive to learning.

“These new classrooms will be used by 219 high school students,” Robert Kenly A. Sta. Maria, Kalahi-CIDSS Area Coordinator in Kiblawan, said.

A true service to the public

Usec. Templa  expressed her gratitude to teachers, parents, local executives, and community volunteers for their unwavering endeavor in prioritizing the education of the children in the community.

“I am thankful because the community chose to prioritize a project such as this school building. Students have a significant role in the community. The classroom is our mirror in seeing a student’s potential. Classrooms are factories where a student’s ideals and ideas are formed, after all,” Usec. Templa said.

She emphasized that facilitating access to better facilities for quality education is part of DSWD’s commitment to provide maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo (efficient and compassionate service) to individuals and communities in need.

The Undersecretary also underscored the agency’s advocacy for education for all.

“Importante sa DSWD ang kalambuan sa katawhan, ug magsugod kini sa mga kabatan-onan. Maayo gyud nga giduso sa komunidad nga mao kini ang ilang priority (DSWD recognizes the importance of people development which begins with the youth. It is good that the community pushed this),” she said.

Aside from the three-classroom school building, Kibalawan also has nine completed sub-projects and three ongoing construction, which are covered by  the first cycle of Kalahi-CIDSS implementation in the town with a total grant allocation of P17,847,200. ###