DepEd trumpets gains under Aquino

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Leaders who will succeed President Aquino will find it hard to replicate what he has done for the education sector.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said this during the inauguration and turnover of a new three-story, 18-classroom school building to the Pavia National High School donated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in Pavia town, Iloilo.

Aquino was the guest of honor during the inauguration of the P43.046-million project, built through the “Matuwid na Daan sa Silid-Aralan” program of Pagcor and its partners the Department of Education and Department of Public Works and Highways.

With thousands of students and school officials present, Luistro laid down what the Aquino administration has accomplished in five years.

From 2005 to 2009, DepEd built 40,000 classrooms, but in five years Aquino built 100,000, Luistro said.

From 2005 to 2009, close to 10,000 teachers were hired; under Aquino 170,000 teacher items were created, Lustro added.

“The gains we have received would be hard to match in the coming years,” Luistro said.

What the next administration should do is to repair old classrooms and hire teachers to replace those who will retire, he said.

Luistro thanked the President for what he has done for education in general.

“When Philippine history is written in the field of education, we cannot find a president who supported education that much other than President Aquino,” Luistro said.

Aside from the 18-classroom school building, Pavia National High School, the only public high school in the town, will have two school buildings with 42 classrooms.

The new school building will benefit over 3,000 enrolees of PNHS who are currently holding  classes in cramped places, if not utilizing the school’s offices, laboratory rooms or twin covered court.

Aside from being spacious and well-ventilated, the new classrooms have toilets on every floor.

Joining the inauguration were Senate President Franklin Drilon, Pagcor chairman and CEO Cristino Naquiat Jr., Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Iloilo Rep. Arcadio Gorriceta and Pavia Mayor Michael Gorriceta.