ILOILO CITY — Six public schools and the provincial scouting program are set to benefit from a fresh infrastructure boost as the Iloilo provincial government rolled out over P23.5 million in financial aid targeting remote and under-resourced communities.
The funds, released through the Provincial School Board (PSB) using the Special Education Fund (SEF), were formally turned over during the flag ceremony at the Iloilo Capitol on May 26.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the distribution alongside Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and PSB Secretariat Maria Alfreda Fajardo.
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Topping the list of recipients is Fernando Arlos Elementary School in Barangay Tambaliza, Concepcion, with P8.8 million earmarked for a three-classroom building.
Tunga Elementary School in Barangay Cabilao Grande, Carles, followed with P5 million for a new two-classroom facility.
Also receiving aid are:
Sto. Niño Elementary School in San Miguel, with P3.5 million for a covered gym; Bancal National High School in Alimodian, which secured P3.4 million for a similar structure; Binaba-an National High School in Lambunao, granted P1.6 million for land acquisition; Aglalaha Integrated School in Passi City, awarded P294,150 to upgrade its Gulayan sa Paaralan initiative.
The Boy Scouts of the Philippines Iloilo Chapter also received P1 million to support ongoing scouting activities across the province.
After the ceremonial turnover, PSB representatives held a briefing with school and BSP officials to walk them through fund management and liquidation protocols.
The classroom construction and facility enhancement projects fall under the province’s “Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya” (BES Probins) initiative — a flagship program designed to resolve classroom shortages and improve learning spaces, especially in far-flung schools. /das