CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Some P1.2 million worth of classrooms for Aeta pupils in Mabalacat, under the sponsorship of the United States government, are expected to be completed by October, according to Gov. Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda yesterday.
This piece of good news was gleaned after a courtesy call made by the US Navy Marine Corps led by Major Eric J. Mattson, civil affairs team 4, yesterday morning at the provincial capitol.
According to Mattson, funds for the construction of the classrooms were coursed through the US embassy. He said the classrooms being constructed at the Monicayo Elementary School in barangay Monicayo, Mabalacat town will be completed on October 20.
“With the cooperation and participation of the United States Air Force and the Philippine Air Force, the classroom construction is going on full blast,” Mattson said.
The governor welcomed this development as she stressed that the said project would be a great help to the Monicayo Elementary School and its populace.
She has also accepted Mattson’s invitation for her to guest at the inauguration ceremonies of the said classrooms.
Mattson said that during the initial survey conducted at the said school, it was found out that there was no water supply and the existing school buildings were dilapidated and in dire need of repair.
Aside from the completion of the two new classrooms, the US Navy Marine Corps will also be donating books, school supplies, back pack bags and some sports equipment for the use of the Aeta students.
More so, 120 pieces of new desks made by the members of the marine corps themselves will also be donated to the said school.
Apart from the Governor, Monicayo Elementary School Principal Sonny de Guzman also expressed his thanks and gratitude to the US Navy Marine Corps for undertaking such a worthy project.
He added that the members of the marine corps are very friendly with the school’s students adding that they are “malugud” or loving to the Aetas.
The governor also requested Mattson to also include the coastal municipalities of the province in their list of target project areas.
“The towns of Sasmuan, Macabebe and Masantol would also greatly benefit from the said classroom construction project,” Pineda ended.
Mattson’s team will also be conducting medical missions towards the middle of this month in five barangays of Mabalacat, namely: Calumpang, Northville 16, Atlu Bola, San Vicente and Monicayo and in the nearby Barangay Sapang Bato in Angeles City.
Pineda thanked Mattson for undertaking various development projects in the province as she also assured him of the provincial government’s support to such endeavors. (Pampanga PIO)
