16 brand new cars for DepEd

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is looking at providing service vehicles for all public school districts here, as part of the City Government’s efforts to support education in the city.

He revealed the plan during the distribution of 1,500 smart television sets for all Cebu City schools at the Labangon Elementary School late last week.

The smart TVs are expected to revolutionize the way students learn and interact with technology.

In his speech, Rama said that aside from the TVs, the City is also looking at providing sound systems to the schools for their school activities and vehicles to the school districts of Department of Education (DepEd)-Cebu City.

Remus Mariñas, Cebu City Public Schools Teachers Association president, told The Freeman that there are currently 16 districts (eight each in the north and in the south congressional districts), under DepEd-Cebu City.

 Rama made the announcement after taking cognizant of the plight of the teachers, especially on their transportation in going to activities outside the school campus and in the delivery of school items.

 He said he was very much aware that public schools have difficulties in looking for vehicles that can be used to get learning materials and to transport learners to attend different activities, like athletics and other events.

 Marinas said district supervisors likewise find their task of supervising learners more challenging because of the lack or absence of vehicles that they can use.

“Needed na kay magamit sa mga supervisory purposes ug hauling sa mga learning materials ug pag-feeding program, etcetera,” he said.

Rama has tasked City Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros and Local School Board (LSB) Head Kimberly Esmeña and overseer Ian Hassamal to work on realizing the vehicle for each school district the soonest possible time.

Hontiveros, who heads the City Council’s committee on education, science and technology, told The Freeman that they will discuss this matter in the next LSB meeting.

 He said school principals and district representatives are also expected to attend the meeting since they are the ones who know the situation on their respective campuses.

 With the City looking out for them, Mayor Rama also reminded the teachers to stay passionate in teaching, which is considered not just a profession but more especially a vocation. -/RHM (FREEMAN)