To tackle the ongoing shortage of classrooms and improve educational facilities for Iloilo’s growing student population, Uswag Ilonggo Partylist, led by Cong. Jojo Ang, together with Regional Chairman Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr., led the ceremonial groundbreaking for eight new multi-storey school buildings in Iloilo.
The event, held at Iloilo National High School on Friday, December 13, was attended by key education officials, including Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara, Cong. Lorenz Defensor, Iloilo Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ernesto Servillon Jr., and Ma. Luz M. De los Reyes, PhD. Local school principals and teachers from the beneficiary schools also participated in the momentous occasion.
The groundbreaking ceremony marked the official start of the construction of ₱227.3 million worth of new school buildings, which will provide hundreds of new classrooms to address the increasing demand for space in Iloilo’s public schools. Among the projects unveiled were:
- Arevalo Elementary School – ₱23.5 million for a 3-storey, 6-classroom building
- Iloilo Central Elementary School – ₱23.5 million for a 3-storey, 6-classroom building
- Uswag San Isidro Elementary School – ₱23.5 million for a 3-storey, 6-classroom building
- Mandurriao Elementary School – ₱23.5 million for a 3-storey, 6-classroom building
- Hibao-an Elementary School – ₱23.5 million for a 3-storey, 6-classroom building
- Fort San Pedro National High School – ₱31.5 million for a 4-storey, 8-classroom building
- Iloilo City National High School – ₱31.5 million for a 4-storey, 8-classroom building
- Iloilo National High School – ₱46.8 million for a 4-storey, 12-classroom building
Sec. Angara commended the Uswag Ilonggo Partylist for its commitment to improving the region’s educational infrastructure, calling the initiative “a crucial investment in the future of the Ilonggos.” He emphasized that addressing classroom shortages remains a key priority for the Department of Education under his leadership.
“I thank President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for their unwavering support for the Ilonggo people and their educational needs. These projects are a testament to our collective goal of providing quality education to every Filipino student,” Angara said.
Cong. Jojo Ang echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the vital role of the national government in making the projects possible. “We aim to help our young Ilonggo dreamers succeed. But we can only do that with proper educational facilities. Uswag Ilonggo’s mission is to partner with you in advocating for better quality education across the country,” Ang said during his address.
In addition to the eight school buildings featured in the event, other infrastructure projects in Pavia National High School and the province of Guimaras were also unveiled in recent months.
“Through the construction of these school buildings across Region 6 and the other provinces in Western Visayas, we are not only addressing the classroom shortage but strengthening the foundation of our region’s education system,” Ang added.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Iloilo City Government, led by Mayor Jerry Treñas, are also involved in the realization of these projects, which will benefit thousands of students across the region.
With construction set to begin in the first quarter of 2025, the new school buildings are expected to play a vital role in enhancing the learning environment in Iloilo and helping meet the educational needs of the growing student population.
This initiative marks a major step forward in Uswag Ilonggo’s ongoing commitment to improving the quality of education for all Ilonggos, ensuring that the next generation of learners will have the proper tools and spaces to thrive.
