Silang, Cavite Mayor Kevin Anarna cannot hide his dismay after a P37 million school building project has been left unfinished as the start of School Year 2022-2023 on August 22 draws near.

"Tatlong palapag na paaralan na nagkakahalaga ng 37 million pesos, iniwanan na ng dating contractor. Nakuha narin ng buo ang bayad, pati ang retention ay tinangay na (A 3-storey school building project worth P37 million has been left unfinished by its previous contractor. What's worse is that the contractor has already received the full payment and retention for the project)," Anarna said in his Facebook post Tuesday, July 26.

Anarna said that after attending the mass wedding sponsored by the local government, he visited some of the town's schools to see their preparation for the return of classes.

"Nakakalungkot na makita ang nakatiwangwang na proyekto ng pamahalaang bayan sa Brgy. Lucsuhin. Giniba ang dating mga classrooms para ipatayo ang 3 palapag na gusali. Pero pagkatapos ng election ay iniwanan na ng contractor ang pagawain. Ang mas nakakalungkot pa ay naitakbo na ang pera kahit nasa 20% palang ang natatapos (It's really saddening to see the neglected project in Brgy. Lucsuhin. The old classrooms were demolished for the construction of the 3-storey building. But after the election, its previous contractor just left the construction unfinished. What's more saddening and infuriating is that the money has already been taken by the previous contractor even if only 20 percent of the building has been finished)," the mayor said.

"Ang mas nakakaawa ay ang mga mag-aaral na nawalan ng maayos na masisilungan pagdating ng pasukan. Sinigurado naman ng teacher in charge na gingawaan na nila ng paraan para may masilungan ang mga mag-aaral (What's more pitiful are the students who have lost their classrooms that they need for the resumption of classes. The teacher in charge gave assurance that they are already looking for areas where they can hold their classes)," he added.

Anarna vowed that they would file charges against those who abandoned the project and urged his constituents to report any corruption or malpractice by any employee of the provincial government.

In a Viber message to Manila Bulletin, he said that they are now finalizing the charges to be filed against the responsible individuals with the Ombudsman.

On Monday, July 25, the mayor announced that he will provide school supplies and other schooling needs to public school students as part of his efforts to improve the town’s educational services and to curb corruption.

“Sa susunod na pasukan ay makakatanggap na ng libreng bags at school supplies ang lahat ng mag-aaral mula sa kindergarten to grade 6 na mga studyante sa mga pampublikong paaralan. Lahat po ay mabibigyan. Bukod po dyan ay makakatanggap naman ng school supplies ang mga nag-aaral sa mga daycares (This school year, all public school students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 will receive free bags and school supplies. Daycare students will also receive school supplies),” Anarna said.

He added that due to his administration’s “no corruption” policy, the provincial government saves a lot of its budget for purchasing contracts and supplies.

He added that he and his employees do not accept illegal money and transactions from other people and entities.

“Ang mga matitipid natin dahil walang corruption ay mapupunta sa taong bayan. Mas maraming magagawa kung walang overpricing at walang corrupt practices sa ating bayan (The money we save because of our anti-corruption practices will be used for the benefit of our citizens. We can do more projects if there are no overpricing and corruption in our town),” Anarna said.

On July 14, Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte confirmed that School Year (SY) 2022-2023 is set to open on Aug. 22.

The school calendar sets the start of classes on Aug. 22 and will end on July 7, 2023. The incoming school year will consist of 203 school days or as may be determined by further issuances “in case of changes in the school calendar due to unforeseen circumstances,” DepEd said.

The said DepEd Order also contained the guidelines for SY 2022-2023 which highlighted the resumption of full face-to-face classes among students in schools that offer basic education.

The issuance also provided direction and guidance in the re-opening of classes and the gradual introduction of five days of in-person learning modality classes.