Private sector campaign
for classrooms launched
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. welcomed the launching in Bacolod City yesterday of a local campaign to boost a nationwide private sector effort to build 10,000 classrooms.

The governor said he will ask the organizers of the project to use the money raised in Negros Occidental to build classrooms in the province, which is also suffering from a shortage, like the rest of the country.

School officials reported at a Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Education hearing Wednesday that Negros Occidental public schools lack 1,137 classrooms.

City asked to assist NOHS, too
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

A resolution requesting the City Mayor to look into the possibility of extending financial assistance through the Special Education Fund or general fund as contribution to the construction of six replacement classrooms at the Negros Occidental High School, was approved by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday.

The resolution was authored by Councilor Homer Bais and co-authored by Councilors Caesar Distrito, Em Legaspi-Ang and El Cid Familiaran.

The recent demolition of classrooms of NOHS to give way to the construction by the Negros Occidental provincial government of a two-storey 24-classroom building has seriously placed students and teachers in jeopardy, as they are holding classes in sheds that are not conducive to learning, the resolution said.

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod approved Wednesday the request of Mayor Evelio Leonardia for an appropriation ordinance covering the productivity enhancement incentives of about 2,000 regular employees of the city at P20,000 each.

The total amount approved by the SP was P39 million and includes the P23 million for the PEI of regular employees.

Acting Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran yesterday said the amount was taken from the various savings of personal services accounts.