ANGELES CITY – Education Secretary Armin Luistro disclosed that he had asked the Philippine embassy and consul officials in other nations to seek help in their respective areas to raise some P8 billion for the construction of enough public classrooms in the country.
In a recent interview, Luistro bared his plans to the Punto after being asked about the suggestion of prominent businessmen to tap international firms in solving the lack of classrooms.
The ideal ratio targeted by Pampanga1st District Rep. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin and Luistro is 30 students per classroom.
Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda vowed to allot P25 million for the project.
Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President and CEO Felipe Antonio Remollo initiated a meeting with Clark locators, asking them to help Lazatin and Luistro.
Lazatin has expressed gratitude to businessmen and fellow officials for supporting his project aimed at providing adequate public school classrooms in his district. He disclosed that several locators at Clark had vowed to help their project after it was endorsed by Remollo.
In a meeting at the Mabalacat Municipal Hall satellite office at Clark on Saturday, congressional chief of staff IC Calaguas disclosed that “we are just some 111 classrooms short of completing the targeted amount.”
“Congressman Lazatin is thankful. We will soon publish all those who helped us in our noble intention. We know there still many who are willing to help raise the level of education in our district for the benefit of the poor,” said Calaguas.
Lazatin earlier announced that he wants to create and repair 444 classrooms here, Mabalacat and in Magalang. He also wants to raise at least P280 million with help of fellow officials and private groups, including locaters at the Clark Freeport.
Lazatin stressed that his project dubbed “Kabahagi Ako sa Handog Silid Aralan Tugon sa Kaunlaran” was initiated by Luistro. They launched their project last June 23 at Clark.
Luistro said Lazatin’s project “is some sort of a pilot project in the country.” He added that it was immediately launched in Pampanga because “the solon acts fast and decisively.”
