A P1-million two-story school building was built in San Pablo II National High School using the performance challenge fund (PCF) awarded to Lubao in Pampanga by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Municipal Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab said.
The local government of Lubao provided P160,000 as counterpart fund to the PCF, an incentive fund given by the DILG to high-performing cities, municipalities and provinces that have complied and passed the key requirements for the Seal of Good Local Governance.
“When we met the requirements for Good Financial Housekeeping, I immediately thought of building classrooms because so many students here hold classes under trees or in covered courts. There are also a lot of out-of-school youth.” Cayabyab said.
The construction of the building was completed in September 2015, less than a year before the implementation of Grades 11 and 12 in the country.
Cayabyab admitted the San Pablo II is not yet prepared for the implementation of the K-12 program of the Department of Education but opted to try it to avoid disenfranchising the students who want to pursue a college education.
At present, there are at least 10 sections per grade level with almost 50 students per classroom. They are alternately holding classes in the morning and afternoon.
San Pablo II principal Olivia Icban said 317 enrolled in Grade 11, of which 100 are occupying the PCF-funded classrooms.
Icban likewise said students coming from Barangays San Pablo I, Dela Paz, San Pedro Saug, Santiago, Balantacan, Baruya, Sta. Cruz, San Roque, Florida, Sta. Teresita and Sta. Rita also use the PCF-funded classrooms.
“We thank the DILG for the PCF because we were able to have more classrooms to accommodate more children,” Icban said.