Celso orders construction of 2 school buildings in Mariki

11/08/2009 07:27

Mayor Celso Lobregat has instructed the City Engineer’s Office to prepare and submit to him the soonest time possible the plans and estimates for the construction of two three-classroom buildings at Mariki Elementary School.

Lobregat issued the directive to City Engineer Luis Vicente Despalo yesterday morning when they personally inspected the area (at Mariki Elementary School) where an old wooden building with three classrooms collapsed at the height of last week’s typhoon.

The collapsed building, according to the chief executive, will be replaced with a new one (also with three classrooms) plus another three-classroom building will be constructed at the adjacent area in place of another dilapidated structure to be demolished soon.

At the sane time, Lobregat also directed the city engineer to include the plans and estimates for the rehabilitation of the wooden footbridge leading to the Mariki Elementary School. So far, only the main catwalk has been paved.

The collapsed building and the other classrooms at the Mariki Elementary School are projects of the national government undertaken through the District Engineer’s Office.

Joining Lobregat’s inspection in Mariki were Councilor Rudy Lim, Schools Division Superintendent Dolores Alcantara and staff, District Engineer Merham Acas and staff, Mariki Elementary School OIC Principal Satra Asim, Sta. Barbara District Supervisor Dr. Lauria Hassan, Executive Assistant Percival Ramos and the barangay officials headed chairman Taib Tawasil.

Mariki has a student population of 761, 50 of which are pre-schoolers, who are temporarily holding classes at the Mariki Barangay Hall since their 3-classroom building caved in a week ago.

From Mariki, the mayor and party proceeded to the nearby Rio Hondo Elementary School and Sta. Barbara Elementary School where he had a brief discussion with the school principals and barangay officials for the schools’ improvement projects.

In Rio Hondo, the mayor has committed to work for the reconnection of the school’s water system.

Lobregat asked Rio Hondo Elementary School principal Delia de la Peña to closely coordinate with City Hall for the immediate restoration of the water supply in the school. Based on the student population record, the school, according to the mayor is not require a new school building, thus no need for the construction of another structure.

In Sta. Barbara, the mayor directed Engr. Despalo to prepare the plans and estimates for the construction of a 2-storey 6 classroom building and the renovation of the school stage.

The schools in Mariki, Rio Hondo, Sta. Barbara and Don Gems in Sta. Catalina fall under the Sta. Barbara district under Dr. Hassan, who is also the principal of Sta. Barbara. (Vic Larato)