BUTIG, Lanao del Sur – The Ragayan Elementary School here, which was severely damaged by the armed conflict between government forces and the Dawlah Islamiyah, will be fully rebuilt in three months.
PHILIPPINE Army 103rd Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Yegor Rey P. Barroquillo and PAFCPIC Vice President for MECS Arlene Villaflor lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration of the Ragayan Elementary School in Butig, Lanao del Norte. (Bonita L. Ermac)
The school was occupied and converted into a lair by DI forces in 2015 and 2016, said 103rd Deputy Brigade commander Col. Billy dela Rosa, the commanding officer of the 51st Infantry Battalion assigned to the area during that time.
Dela Rosa said that education is one of the important aspects of the security dynamics in Lanao del Sur.
"Nagkataon na naging parte ako ng pagkasira ng Ragayan Elementary School, nakita ko at naging apektado, binalikan ko ulit, ganun pa rin ang mukha ng school," he said.
Dela Rosa said he was very passionate to look for a partner to rehabilitate the school and sought the help of the Rotary Club of Makati for the proposed project but unfortunately it did not materialize.
The project proposal through the initiative of Civil-Military Operation Regiment (CMOR) was forwarded to the Philippine Army Finance Center Producers Integrated Cooperative (PAFCPIC) which gained positive response.
PAFCPIC Vice President for Membership Education and Community Services (MECS) Arlene O. Villaflor said they were grateful for being an instrument to rebuild the school and the community as well.
The cooperative has allocated P2.6 million for the full restoration of the school which has eight classrooms and expected to be completed in three months with a playground added.
"So, ito hong pagsisimula ng pagpapatayo ng ating gusali ay hindi lang ho simula ng pagpapaganda ng estraktura, ngunit ito po ay simula na binibigyan natin ng halaga ang mga mag-aaral para sa kanilang pangarap, gayundin ang potential na maging susi para sa magandang kinabukasan para sa ating komunidad," said Villaflores.
Butig Mayor Dimnatang Pansar said the restoration of the school building is an answered prayer. "So, ngayon pa lang nasagot iyong prayer ng mga taga-Ragayan kasama iyong prayer natin."
Pansar acknowledged partner NGOs and CSOs and the Philippine Army, among others.
"Napakaraming salamat, we cannot think of enough words how to express our gratitude sa kanila, dahil sa marami na tayong agency or CSO na enengage, sila iyong nagrespond na parang hindi lang sincere, kundi more or less amply supply of the needs of the full rehabilitation of the school buildings," Pansar said.
Ragayan Elementary School has almost 400 pupils from Kinder to Grade 6.
The Philippine Army Engineering Battalion will lead restoration work which begins immediately following the signing of the project partnership agreement (PPA) and the groundbreaking ceremony on August 25.
"We recognize the importance of rebuilding what was lost and restoring the community to the legal authorities. If not address, the rest of closing vulnerable groups such as children to lawless elements will remain high and violence will remain," said 51st Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col Victor-Czar Villanueva.
"The start of the restoration of this school is a start for a brighter future for the children of Butig," added Villanueva.