LAGAWE, IFUGAO- – “I’m hoping that a positive step is to be taken by the national government toward addressing the concerns of our teachers, students and parents who have long been clamoring for assistance on the damages to our school brought about by super typhoon Uwan in 2025.”
Those were the words of Beverly Belingon, teacher-in-charge of Batad Elementary School in Banaue, Ifugao.
Students and teachers are still currently enduring punishing conditions in classrooms and other facilities devastated by the typhoon. Belingon noted that her office even took the brunt of the destruction.
There is obviously a consistent clamor for repairs at the school. Imagine how frustrating it would be to have a young learner access the right knowledge and the right behavior in despicable circumstances.
This means that more personnel to clear big rocks and other materials are likewise required. In realizing these moves, the school anticipates a deeper appreciation among those in this tourism town of how to understand, measure and enhance the true value of education. It looks for that point of connection where social value and economic development meet, and where the needs of poor folks are better served.
What practical applications does this action provide? Construction of new facilities would evidently need funds. It is a fact that new learning facility is needed in this school to replace old ones. If repaired promptly, with real-time disaster-resilient materials. The Batad Elementary School can be an ideal solution to empowering disaster response efforts.
As an investment to the town’s future, a refurbished Batad Elementary School should then help protect lives.
Also, it is helpful to the cause of modernizing the education sector and educate villages on the urgency to accelerate climate action and strengthen disaster resilience.
With school calendar at the end stretch of March, students here continue to reel from the impact of Uwan’s wrath.
So it cannot be denied that school infrastructure development is very important, more so, enhanced under the leadership of well-meaning educators like Mrs. Belingon.
When public interest is at stake, shouldn’t the Marcos administration move faster to act on this matter? It is essential that adequate interventions are introduced for this beleaguered school. This helps Belingon and the rest of the teaching and non-teaching staff deal with any situation that they encounter.
“This action would significantly boost learners’ confidence in going to school,” Belingon told the ZigZag Weekly.
Even many others will be meticulously inspired to contribute to developing this barangay long-known for terraces- fresh delights. **By Anthony A. Araos
