By Anthony A. Araos
Unified by a deep sense of purpose in their shared vision to elevate educational standards in this part of Ifugao, stakeholders of the Kalanguya National High School (KNHS) in Tinoc exerted their best efforts for the construction of an all-important learning facility.
At Barangay Wangwang, young learners, parents and teachers clearly saw the fruition of their concerted actions following the inauguration of the 2-storey building at a key section of the school. The building has four classrooms.
Pegged at nearly Php 17 million worth construction tag, this building is surely a big blessing to students who are now in their crucial secondary-level of education. Obtaining a high school diploma is a must-thing to do.
Apparently, some quarters articulated the need to “renovate” one of the KNHS buildings. In the first place, from information obtained at the Department of Education (DepEd), said structure was described as a “condemned” building. Need I ask: Why even think of renovating it? The future we’re looking forward is the safety and comfort of the students. As you fix a “major” problem as this one with a band-aid solution, it’s real enough to feel awfully bad. Alas, the “cosmetic solution” was discarded. Oh yes! Public funds are limited. It accurately foretold countless reasons why those in the government should be re-educated on the meaning of the operative words “common sense.” Give the people a break from “outdated” and “stupid” ideas just to remedy the congestion problem at government- operated learning institutions at the people’s expense.
The Philippine Army Finance Producers Integrated Cooperative (PAFPIC) principally backed up this project. The PAFPIC is a Manila-based cooperative and its president is BGen. Fernando Zabat of the Philippine Army.
Undoubtedly, Mercedes Tayaban played a key role in turning this “dream” into a reality. A pillar in the School’s Division Office-Ifugao, Tayaban is indeed a driving force in pusing hard for the implementation of this project. By the way, she is also credited for a number of other projects across the province. She has been splendidly steering the Social Mobilization and Networking Unit at this office. She truly deserves not just praises and commendations, but the much-needed promotion.
Today, KNHS students have a better understanding and appreciation of what quality education is all about.
Enjoying life, despite uncertainties, not for a couple of days, weeks or even months or so, but for a much longer period of time while at the confines of learning institution is the order of the day.
Tinoc is one of the poorest towns of Ifugao. Understandably, cash-starved parents of KNHS students are feeling the bitter effects of the high cost of living. Extremely high poverty incidence rate is a major concern for so many years.
Many Tinoc folks hope for good things to happen, but they cannot be sure that their hopes will ever be realized. I’m, of course, referring for “positive developments” to take place as a concrete way of weeding out the poverty problem. I heard it several times that “education is a tool for the people to get out of poverty cycle.” What present-day realities, however, suggest otherwise. Poverty persists not just in Tinoc. It holds true in the other ten towns in Ifugao.
Poverty can make life seemingly hopeless for many. That’s the stark reality on the ground. Abject poverty is so pronounced in so many villages in the countryside. Ifugao’s underserved barangays are no exception.
Honestly, I still think there are just a few generous and kind-hearted individuals in the private sector who are willing to push the pro-education agenda in 2025 and beyond. There are still some well-meaning individuals who are genuinely caring for economically-deprived learners in this part of the Philippines. Could they still give hope to others in a not-so-distant future?
The construction of this vital facility at the heart of a poverty-stricken town, to my mind, is a welcome development. It’s a step in the right direction. It sends a strong signal that there are still individuals in the private sector-albeit its small number, who are willing and ready to be counted in the cause of upgrading the public-school system.
I’m glad Tinoc folks-young and old alike shared positive attitude of Vice Governor Glenn Prudenciano who also took part in the historic inaugural rites. Vice Governor Prudenciano, a staunch supporter of the education sector gave a very good insight how the painstaking effort of the project’s forerunners came about. “It makes a lot of sense to invest in the future of the young,” he stressed. “Investing in the education sector is always reliable now and forever,” he quickly added. It is quite difficult to interpose any objection on what he is emphasizing. It says what the future has in store for a province and its people long yearning for a transformative and forward-looking leader.
The latest infrastructure addition to the KNHS campus, in my judgement is one of the greatest single encompassing “laurels” of the education department under the stewardship of Secretary Sonny Angara. Certainly, I can’t help to sight the invaluable assistance extended by Schools Division Superintendent Gloria Buya-ao. There is nothing that begins to compare with the courage, dedication and importance given by all others who supported this noteworthy initiative. This is how a new Tinoc school building came to be. **
