LUNA, Apayao – The Apayao Schools Division Office will no longer worry about the accommodation of their visitors as the two-storey multi-purpose building funded by the Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Bulut-Begtang has been completed and turned over to them on March 22.
Cong. Leah together with School Division Superintendent Ronald Castillo, Provincial Administrator Vincent Talattag, Vice Governor Remy Albano, some Board Members, and representative from DPWH led the inauguration and blessing of the building which will be used primarily as guest house and function hall for all Department of Education personnel whether teachers or students or even just mere visitors of the Division Office.
According to Cong. Leah, the guest house which she funded for about five million pesos came into life when teachers asked her assistance in coming up with a solution with their accommodation issues particularly for them who are coming from upper Apayao due to the distance of travel every time they visit the division office.
“A lot of teachers are asking for help in their lodging because when they go here (division office). They can no longer go home within the day like those who are coming from Calanasan,” Cong. stressed.
Cong. Leah said the building which she has added another P700,000 fund to complete some of its amenities is the fourth project with the aim of addressing accommodation issues for teachers and students.
During the inauguration, Cong. Leah, commended the works of the DPWH which has completed the building project on time. She recounted how she admonishes the DPWH with regards to following the correct standards. “Maybe the DPWH will now be glad because I will no longer be scolding them in their works as I am stepping down as the Representative of the Province but mind you that such criticism will be a strong motivating factors to be better next time,” she said with a grin.
The Representative of the Lone District of Apayao also congratulated the DepEd family for the good performance the athletes showed in the just concluded Cordillera Administrative Regional Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet wherein Apayao placed 2nd in the overall ranking.
In his acceptance message, Castillo expressed his gratitude to Cong. Leah and the Provincial Government of Apayao through the leadership of Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr. who are providing solid backing in all DepEd sports and academic activities. He has credited the success of Apayao to the unity of the leaders.
“The theme of 2019 CARAA Meet, ‘one team, one vision’ is not for the CARAA Meet, honestly, it is for Apayao. We are showing who we are to others,” Castillo explained.
According to Castillo, the building will serve as quarters for teachers and students as well as for the growing numbers of personnel of the Division Office. “It can also serve as extension not only for visitors but for DO personnel as it has functional hall,” he added.
The building has three guest rooms, eight double deck beds and one matrimonial bed. The function hall and storage room are located in the second floor.
By GERRIAHZON S. SEBASTIAN
Banner art by Don Ray Ramos