15 June 2006

TWENTY permanent classrooms were prepared to accommodate some 3,170 registered elementary and high school students in Southville1 in Cabuyao, Laguna-resettlement community for Southrail relocatees, Vice President Noli 'Kabayan' De Castro, concurrent chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), announced yesterday.

Vice President and concurrent HUDCC chair Noli ‘Kabayan’ De Castro checks preparations for school opening in Southville 1 Cabuyao, Laguna Resettlement Community for Southrail relocatees. He assured that the school facilities would be able to accommodate some 3,170 registered Elementary and High School students when school opens on June 20. Twenty classrooms were built and customized tents were erected as part of the preparations for the coming school year. These customized tents will serve as temporary classrooms pending completion of 24 more classrooms in August and additional 36 in October. With Vice President De Castro is Department of Education officer-in-charge Fe Hidalgo. (6/15/06)

According to De Castro, the National Housing Authority (NHA) has also erected twenty (20) customized tents, which will be temporarily used by the Southville students, until the completion of 24 more classrooms in August and additional 36 classrooms in October.

De Castro lauded the NHA for completing the school facilities just in time before classes for the young relocatees start on June 20. He said the accomplishment shows how the government values education for the young especially those who are underprivileged.

"The government knows that just like shelter, light and water, education is equally important and we are doing our very best to prepare the future of your children," De Castro told the relocatees.

Vice President and concurrent HUDCC chair Noli ‘Kabayan’ De Castro inspects conditions of the classrooms in Southville 1, Cabuyao, Laguna Resettlement community for Southrail relocatees. Twenty classrooms were prepared and 20 customized tents were erected to accommodate some 3,170 registered Elementary and High School students when school opens on June 20. The customized tents will serve as temporary classrooms pending completion of 24 more classrooms in August and additional 36 in October. The Department of Education has approved the deployment of forty-five teachers and two principals before the opening of classes. With Vice President De Castro is DepEd officer-in-charge Fe Hidalgo. (6/15/06)

Speaking also before local officials led by Cabuyao Mayor Nilda Agillo and Education Department (DepED) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Fe Hidalgo, De Castro assured Southville residents that more teachers would be tapped as the need arises. De Castro said that DepEd has approved the deployment of forty-five teachers and two principals before the opening of classes.

"We hope that through these efforts, we are able to inspire all relocatees to move forward and aim for better lives," De Castro said.

However, he cautioned Southville residents not to be too dependent on the government, saying it cannot provide all that they need. He urged them to be self reliant and persistent in finding ways how to fight poverty.

Vice President and concurrent HUDCC chair Noli ‘Kabayan’ De Castro inspects the customized tents erected to serve as temporary classrooms in Southville 1 Cabuyao, Laguna Resettlement community for Southrail relocatees. The customized tents will serve as temporary classrooms pending completion of 24 more classrooms in August and additional 36 in October. DepEd has approved the deployment of forty-five teachers and two principals before the opening of classes. About 3,170 Elementary and High School students have registered for Schol Year 2006-2007. Classes will open on June 20. With Vice President De Castro is DepEd officer-in-charge Fe Hidalgo. (6/15/06)

"Dapat po ay matuto rin kayong tumayo sa inyong sarili nang sa gayon ay maging ganap ang inyong panibagong dignidad at prinsipyo sa buhay. Tinutulungan po kayo ng gobyerno. Sana naman po ay tulungan ninyo ang inyong mga sarili," he said.

Civic leaders in the resettlement area vowed to answer the Vice President's call and promised to form cooperatives to promote entrepreneurship and camaraderie among themselves.

Wenny Esguerra, a block leader, revealed residents are already forming women's cooperative as inspired by various local government units and non-government organizations that are assisting HUDCC in implementing the national housing program.

Esguerra said the presence of micro finance institutions has given the relocatees renewed hope to start their own small businesses while other concerned agencies inspired residents to learn various crafts and gain employment opportunities by attending seminars and out of town educational trips.

Ref no. VPMEDIA 06-068