Capitol, RAFI Unveil Fully Restored Decades-Old ‘Gabaldon’ School Building in Catmon Town

Catmon town officials recollect fond primary school memories as Cebu Governor Hilario P. Davide III, Mayor Dan Jusay and Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) officials unveiled on Monday, February 26, 2018, the fully restored 79-year old Gabaldon building inside Catmon Integrated School.

“Niingon si Mayor Dan (Jusay) ganiha nakapanlampaso pa diay diha siya oh niadtong elementary pa siya,” said Davide in his speech.

“Mag-cleaning mi, mag-mop, duha ka coconut husk ang gamiton,” 53-year old municipal councilor Vicente Colonia proudly said pointing to his Grade 1 room. He added that he used to clean the whole stretch of wooden floor lobby every morning.

The Gabaldon classroom or schoolhouses is a collective term used to describe heritage schoolhouses established in the country between  1907-1946.

In 1907, Nueva Ecija Representative Isauro Gabaldon initiated the passing of Act 1801, allocating P1 million for the construction of schools all over the Philippines, known today as Gabaldon school buildings. The structure follows the standard plan designed by American architect William E. Parsons.

According to RAFI project engineer Christian Iñego, the restoration of the 10-classroom structure costs P8.857 million with RAFI shelling out 40 percent of the project cost. The Provincial Government gave 40 percent, while Catmon LGU shouldered the remaining 20 percent.

RAFI executive director Ernesto Alix said RAFI is presently restoring eight Gabaldon school buildings in Pinamungajan, two each in the towns of Alegria and Carmen, and one each for Madridejos and Bantayan.

Education and expansion of school buildings rank third among the priorities in Davide’s six key development agenda.

Davide also turned over a three-classroom unit building in Cabungaan Elementary School located in a mountainous village 3.5 kilometers away from the highway. The P2.837 million building is a joint undertaking of RAFI and Catmon LGU.

RAFI shelled out P2.612 million while Catmon town’s counterpart fund was P225,000 said Maria Rizza Labao of Rafi Senior Program Officer. The mayor, vice mayor, municipal councilors and Department of Education (DepEd) officials led by district supervisor Dr. Omega Sol joined the governor in the turnover ceremony.

Kalambuan projects 

Catmon Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO) head Delila Colonia said their town is a recipient of more than P5 million development projects from the Davide administration.

She cited the rehabilitation of Catmon Water System project is already operational after Capitol provided the P3.6 million fund.

She added that another project of Davide administration is the P1.5 million road concreting venture in barangay Bongyas.

However, Colonia said the rehabilitation of two national school buildings in barangay Tinabyonan and Agsuwaw, is still being readied for implementation.

She said the projects’ initial cost is P2.8 million for each three-classroom school building or P5.6 million for the two six-classroom school buildings.

Davide’s six key development agenda is geared to reach its goal of inclusive growth or “Kalambuan sa Matag Sugbuanon.”

http://www.cebu.gov.ph