By:
Sheila Covarrubias
ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 17 (PIA) - - Classroom shortage in the Zamboanga City National High
School-main in Tetuan is partially eased with the inauguration and turnover
yesterday of the 3-storey 27 classroom building constructed and funded by the
city government.
The
unveiling ceremony was made even more special with the presence of Education
Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro who flew all the way from Manila on a Sunday to
accept the project from Mayor Celso Lobregat.
Secretary
Luistro thanked Mayor Lobregat and the members of the City Council through Vice
Mayor Cesar Iturralde for putting highest priority on education through the
construction of school buildings and other education-related projects.
The
3-storey 27 classroom building is the biggest and tallest school building yet
constructed and turned over to a public school by the Lobregat administration
since the massive school building program started in 2007.
Secretary
Luistro could not help but compare the manner that city government projects are
undertaken as well as the manner the projects are turned over to other areas.
He stressed that building classrooms is not just about having money “but it’s
about vision, transparency and dignity”.
Under
the Lobregat leadership, the city government, the secretary said, has the
vision to give a better future for the young generation. This is the reason
why, he said, the people of Zamboanga are supportive of the programs of the
city as all these are intended to put education back to its feet.
“Mayor
Lobregat is the only mayor who places the cost of every project being
undertaken”, the secretary continued. He said by being transparent, the people
are informed and can keep track of government funds.
For
his part, Mayor Lobregat thanked Sec. Luistro for keeping his commitment to be
present during the inauguration of the 3-storey 27 classroom.
He
vowed that the city government will continue to invest in education to help
ensure that the students get quality education.
The
mayor requested Sec. Luistro to also provide the necessary teachers and desks
to complement the schools buildings being constructed by the city government.
“What good are our classrooms without teachers and desks?”.
Since
2007 to present, the city government has already invested over P940 million in
education, and that the amount will reach the P1billion mark in 2013, the mayor
said.
The
ZCHS-main community, headed by Principal Felisa Munar presented Mayor Lobregat
with a plaque and a certificate expressing highest regard on the chief
executive for his unfaltering commitment to education.
Also
present during the inauguration were Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde, Councilors
Rudy Lim, Mike Alavar, Nonong Guingona and Luis Biel III, City Schools OIC
Superintendent Pedro Natividad, Tetuan barangay chairman Nonong Natividad, the
different district supervisors, secondary school principals, other city
officials, Zamcelco president Bong Atilano, the mayor’s brother Jomar Lobregat
and ZCHS-main students, teachers and parents. (JPA/SC/CIO/PIA9-ZBST)