CLARK FREEPORT – From 444 classrooms needed to be built and repaired in the first district of Pampanga, Congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin’s adopt-a-school program has reduced it to 111.
This after its recently held education summit at Stotsenberg hotel got various pledges from businessmen in the province including Gov. Lilia Pineda who vowed to donate P25 million for the said project.
In a report given to journalists, the “Kabahagi Ako sa Handog Silid Aralan Tugon sa Kaunlaran” also garnered pledges amounting to P25 million from Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan (P13,750,000), Mabalacat Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales (P6,500,000) and Magalang Mayor Romulo Pecson (P4,750,000) for the building and repairing of classrooms.
Lazatin’s Chief of Staff Irish Calaguas said they also got pledges amounting to some P32.5 million from anonymous sponsors. The amount, she said, will be used to build and repair at least 50 classrooms.
“We are still urging other businessmen to help us so we could meet our target,” Calaguas added. ALE Partylist Rep. Catalina Bagasina also vowed to give P2.5 million for the repair of some 17 schools in Mabalacat, Angeles City and Magalang.
Calaguas said the initial construction and repair of at least 68 classrooms covered by Lazatin’s P25-million contribution will start on September this year. A separate grant from the Lazatin Consolidated Corp. will cover the cost of one new classroom.
In Angeles City’s Epza High School alone, 10 classrooms need major repairs while one classroom is needed to be built in San Pablo Elementary School in Magalang town.
The Filipino-Chinese Chamber and the Federation of Chinese businessmen pledged to fund the repair of at least 38 classrooms. Dennis Uy, owner of Comclark, pledged to build two new classrooms.
Water firms like the Mabalacat and Angeles City water districts pledged to fund the repair of one classroom each. The sangguniang panlungsod of Angeles and the sangguniang bayan of Mabalacat had a separate pledge of P100,000 each.
Amber Homes led by Albert Dela Cruz donated a 2,000-square meter lot for the Bical Elementary School in Mabalacat.
Meanwhile, other sponsors who refused to be named have pledged cash donations while others vowed to give 700 bags of cement. The Saver’s Appliance Depot donated 10 units of desk fan.
Other sponsors include: JRCELV Realty and Development (P20,000), sangguniang bayan of Magalang (P50,000), Abong Tayag (adopt Duquit Elem. School), Good People International (repair of 15 classrooms).
“C” Italian Dining (adopt Amsic Elem. School), Rotary Club of Clark Centennial (adopt Cuayan Elem. School), Hotel Stotsenberg (P45,500), Widus Int’l Leisure, Inc. (200,000), Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (50,000), HLD Clark Steel Pipe, Inc. (to be announced), Manila North Tollways Corp. (to be announced) and Certicon-Certified Pest Control Services (P5,000).
