BAYAMBANG SCHOOL TRANSFER

BAYAMBANG–Some 2,000 pupils and teachers of the Bayambang Central School (BCS) will soon find themselves homeless if the “benefactor-investor” fails to get his due from the municipal government, namely the turnover of the old school compound in exchange for the new school complex in Barangay Magsaysay.

Businessman William Chua, 37, father of two, a businessman from Manila and the majority shareholder of 168 Mall in Urdaneta and Dagupan cities, finally surfaced accompanied by his lawyer Atty. Nelson V. Gayo, after questions were raised about his whereabouts and upon reading the published sentiments of parents wanting to return to the old compound.

Concerned that the local government may have already decided to go along with the clamor of the parents and teachers, reneging on its part of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) they signed, Chua said he decided to issue a demand letter to Mayor Camacho reminding him of the local government’s obligation.

CHUA (RIGHT) AND HIS LAWYER NELSON GAYO

Lawyer Gayo said his client has fully complied with his obligations as stipulated in the memorandum of agreement he signed with the local government and it is time, he said, that the government fulfills its part of the MOA.

The agreement was for Chua to build a new two-storey school building, comprising of 69 classrooms in addition to an equipped playground and facilities in a more than two-hectare property, a foreclosed property he acquired from the Philippine Veterans Bank.

In return, the Bayambang government had agreed to convey the three-hectare old school site in Zone 3.

Gayo stressed the transfer of the property (old school site) should already be effected since, the new school is already being occupied “and we are ready to transfer the modern school to DepEd.”

The lawyer warned that if the Bayambang government still refuses to fulfill its obligations under the agreement, his client will reclaim the school complex and force the pupils to return to the old compound, within 15 days upon receipt of the letter “to end it all.”

The school complex was built in accordance with the specifications and standard of the municipal government and of the Department of Education (DepEd), Chua said.

Camacho pointed out that the negotiation for the school compound swap started during the time of his predecessor, former Mayor Leocadio de Vera, but the memorandum of agreement was only finally signed during his term.

Chua indicated he agreed to the proposed swap believing that the old school compound is owned by the local government by virtue of an old tax declaration shown to him.

Gayo said the ultimatum was issued to compel the Bayambang government and DepEd to decide once and for all if his client should already reclaim his property or not.

“Let’s see what happens,” Gayo said as he reiterated that his client entered into the private-public partnership in good faith. “We followed the terms, he added.

When reminded that the case is still pending in the Court of Appeals, Gayo said it is the problem of the government since his client is not a party to the case.

Chua lamented that the agreement was already being politicized after he delivered on his commitment.

BACKGROUND

Mayor Camacho confirmed that the initiative to transfer the Bayambang Central School to a new site was started during the past administration and he continued it.

Luckily, he said, Mr. Chua was willing to partner with the local government in order to give the pupils new home.

The transfer of the pupils and teachers to the new compound was effected in 2013 following a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Regional Trial Court directing teachers and parents to comply with the executive order issued by Camacho directing them to transfer to the new school built by Chua.

Unknown to the teachers and parents, the court already issued a permanent injunction, but DepEd had filed an appeal before the Court of Appeals (CA).

Camacho said that when he went to see Education Secretary Armin Luistro about the permanent transfer, it was agreed tthat they wait for the CA’s decision.

“Whatever will be the decision of the court, of course, we will follow,” said Camacho who prayed that the decision will serve the best interests and welfare of the children.

The mayor said what is needed to perfect the transfer is a MOA between DepEd and the local government and the MOA between Mr. Chua and DepEd.

It the meantime, said Camacho, pupils and students will have to remain in the new school till the case is resolved. (LVM)

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