Private sector helps public schools
Where the education of the young is concerned, the business community has began to take an active role in improving facilities in Dagupan City’s public schools.
One such effort is the elevation of the flood-prone elementary schools in Dagupan City to a higher level for the safety of students, teachers and other school staff.
Leading the effort is the family-owned foundation and company of Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez. The Jimmy Fernandez Foundation and the CSI Group of Companies of the Fernandez family, have linked with the Parents Teachers and Community Association of the East Central Elementary School in Mayombo to raise it above the flood level.
The school is perennially flooded, not just during the rainy season but every time the water from the adjacent Pantal River rises, often resulting in the automatic suspension of classes.
School principal Socorro Dimalanta reported to Fernandez that the frequent suspension of classes had resulted in the poor academic performance of students despite the make-up classes held on Saturdays.
Dimalanta recalled that in the aftermath of Typhoon Cosme last year, classes had to be suspended for three months. The principal said elevating the school premises to at least one foot is the solution to the frequent flooding.
Fernandez has also allotted part of her development fund in raising the level and building elevated walkways for the Carael Elementary School, where the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce built two classrooms.
Meanwhile, the vice mayor has also requested the Department of Education to prioritize the renovation of these flood-prone schools.
She said talked to the city school board thru City Schools Superintendent Alma Ruby Torio to prioritize raising the elevation of flood-prone schools for the sake of pupils and teachers, she said.
Dagupan City is one meter below sea level.—LM
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