DPWH rushes school building construction in Southern Leyte

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 18 (PNA) – Majority of school building projects in Southern Leyte are now ongoing as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) fast tracks classroom construction works ahead of the full implementation of K to 12 (Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education) next academic year.

As of Nov. 30, 2015, school building projects funded by the Department of Education (DepEd) in 49 out of 64 sites are now ongoing, with an accomplishment rate ranging from 5 percent to 90 percent.

At least 15 projects have not yet started due to cost adjustment, bidder filed motion for reconsideration, ongoing bidding process, and pending the result of the sub soil exploration survey.

“We are rushing these projects to make sure that all of these will be functional by June 2016,” said DPWH-Southern Leyte District Engineering Office chief Ma. Margarita Junia.

In the case of island town of Limasawa, the DPWH seeks additional funding for the PHP8.36 million project considering that the transhipment cost was not included in the approved allocation.

“The allocation for school building in the island and in the mainland is the same, that’s why no contractor is interested to join the bidding. We have requested for 15 percent additional funding for the cost of transport. This is subject to approval of the Bureau of Construction,” Junia explained.

Two sites failed the soil exploration study, prompting the DPWH to look for other options.

These campuses are the Lungso Daan National High School in Hinundayan town and Paku National High School in Bontoc town.

Officials of the DPWH and DepEd have been meeting weekly to tackle issues hounding the implementation of school building projects.

The national government has earmarked PHP213.15 million for the construction of 202 classrooms for public secondary schools in Southern Leyte province.

These projects are expected to boost the preparation of the province for next year’s full implementation of the Senior High School (SHS) under the K to 12 program of the national government.

Data from the DepEd shows that Maasin City and Southern Leyte towns need at least 242 classrooms by 2016 for new SHS enrollees.

At least 56 public schools in the province will offer the SHS program next academic year with 8,655 projected SHS enrolees. (PNA)
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