Pres’l. Sis Pinky to turn-over four school buildings in Sorsogon tomorrow

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, January 18 (PIA) — A year after Presidential Sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada turned-over the very first AGAPP school buildings in Albay, she returns tomorrow to relinquish four brand new pre-school buildings in the province of Sorsogon bringing the total to 11 two-classroom structures under the administration’s private-public partnership program.

AGAPP which stands for Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pagasa is a foundation composed of President Benigno S. Aquino’s friends and supporters which initiates construction of pre-school buildings on private capacity. Ms. Aquino-Abelleda leads the charitable organization as chairperson.

Dr. Ofelia Samar-Sy M.D., president of the Pinoy Power Bicol Coalition of Volunteers (PPBCV) and AGAPP’s conduit in the region, disclosed during the PIA’s radio program yesterday that the school buildings ready for turn-over after a blessing are located in Manjumlad Elementary School in Matnog town; San Francisco Elementary School in Bulan; Pilar Central Elementary School, municipality of Pilar and Donsol West Central School in Donsol town home of the gentle sea giants called butanding or whaleshark.

Ms. Aquino-Abellada presided over the turn-over of the first AGAPP school buildings in Bicol last January 14, 2011. These were the pre-school classrooms in Taysan Elementary School, Legazpi City and Anislag Resettlement Site in Daraga, Albay.

Other existing AGAPP pre-school buildings in Bicol are situated in Daraga North Central School Daraga, Albay whose turn-over last March 8, 2011 was led by another Presidential Sister Viel Aquino-Dee; Nagas elementary School, Tiwi, Albay; Bato North Central School, Bato, Camarines Sur; Nabua East Central Pilot School, Nabua, Camarines Sur and Romero Elementary School in Bula, Camarines Sur.

At present, two more pre-school buildings are under construction in far flung Cagaycay Elementary School, Goa Camarines Sur and at Guinhadap Elementary School in Monreal, Masbate and soon to follow at Tuguron in Monreal town, too, added Dr. Sy.

Starting with the construction of Sorsogon AGAPP two-room pre-school buildings, the cost was raised from P500,000 to P600,000. for minor changes in the design like bigger windows. All school buildings are utilizing a distinctive design created by Engr. Jerry Esquivel, the current general manager of the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS). The Bicol school building plan is a modified model to conform to the typhoon-proof specification.

Each of the painted school building cum library is furnished with tables and chairs and other furnitures with comfort room for every classroom. These structures are aptly called silid-pangarap.

The AGAPP pre-school project is in step with the Aquino Administration’s thrust of universal pre-school for all with the introduction of the mandatory pre-school level which started for the school year 2011-2012 as part of the new K to 12 curriculum.
(MAL/AAN, PIA V)