Classes resume in Marawi public schools
LANAO DEL SUR – It’s back to school for around 9,000 elementary students in 12 public schools in Marawi.
Students returned to the Sultan Conding, Sikap, Cabingan, Banga, Datu Tambak, Rorogagus, Bito, Pendolonan, Abdulazis, Camp Bagong Amai Pakpak, Sugod and Mipaga Elementary Schools on Tuesday. The schools failed to open last June due to the fighting between government troops and Maute militants.
Ana Zenaida Unte, Department of Education-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao assistant superintendent for Marawi schools, said they would adjust the calendar to ensure that students can complete the requirement of 182 school days.
“Innovations need to be done like holding classes even during summer,” Unte said.
She thanked personnel of the Task Force Marawi, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) and Lanao del Sur police for approving their request to reopen the schools.
“These schools are located in cleared areas. There is no reason for us not to reopen,” Unte said.
Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, Westmincom spokesperson, said the schools are still under close watch by the military.
Degree of normalcy
A “degree of normalcy“has been attained with the opening of the public schools on Tuesday and Mindanao State University last week, Col. Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman, said yesterday.
“The students have gone back to their schools to show that terrorism, criminality, abuses or being frightened will never quench their thirst for knowledge,” Arevalo said.
He said six of the schools are within the city proper. Business establishments around the schools also reopened.
Arevalo said Mayor Majur Usman Gandamra also opened a temporary office to give a semblance of normalcy in the city.
He said employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways started cleaning their offices as they prepare to return to work.
“We are pushing toward the conclusion of the operations… to restore total normalcy and… allow government agencies to start the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi,” Arevalo said.
Additional budget
Meanwhile, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the AFP sought additional funds to replenish their weapons and ammunition in Marawi.
“They are running out of supplies. Their bombs and bullets are almost depleted,” Diokno told a press briefing yesterday.
He did not say how much the AFP is asking, but said the amount is “manageable.”
Diokno said the money would be sourced from the P6-billion contingent fund under this year’s budget.