Two mothers, one an Aeta, described the classrooms as hot and lacking in space. “Gusto kong magkaroon ng school na maayos ang mga anak ko,” said Aeta mother Manilyn Liwanag who has two children in Grade 1 and anotherin Grade 2.
Janette Baybayon said they have to be patient. “Sobrang init. Sana mapaayos ang paaralan ng mga bata, magkaroon ng permanenteng paaralan kung saan okay ang mga anak namin, komportable at may mga electric fan dahil mainit,” shesaid.
A blackboard placed in the middle of the Kapilya ni San Martin de Porres served as divider between classes for Grades 5 and 6.
Children in other grades have to contend with small spaces in the former garage and priest residence. These spaces have galvanized iron sheets for roofing but mostly without ceilings.
Ronnie Mendoza, supervisor of the Department of Education in this town, said the children were transferred in 2013 to the present improvised classrooms after the Bayan-Bayanan Elementary School was declared dangerous due to threat of landslides.
Bayan-Bayanan is an upland village in Dinalupihan that was hit by landslides caused by habagat in 2012. Celia Sangalang, principal of the Bayan- Bayanan Elementary School, said 154 pupils from kindergarten to Grade 6 reported for classes on the first day.
There were 170 children, half of the number Aetas, who registered for enrollment.
“Medyo gitgitan, mainit ang ginagamit na silid-aralan ng mga bata pero ginagawa namang lahat ni Mayor Gila Garcia para maibsan ang kalagayan ng mga bata,” the principal said, adding the Dinalupihan mayor just sent six tents and a number of tables for use of the children.
She said that a landowner offered for sale a piece of land between barangays Pita and Bayan-Bayanan that can be used as site for the new elementary school.
