The Cebu Provincial Government is accelerating efforts to address classroom shortages by pushing the construction of hundreds of Temporary Learning Shelters (TLS) for schools affected by recent calamities, with most projects now past the bidding stage.
Capitol records show that 252 out of 269 planned TLS units across the province have already been bid out, representing projects valued at about P309 million.
The remaining 17 units are still pending rebidding after officials cited budget insufficiency, particularly for projects in island municipalities where construction costs are higher due to logistics and transport challenges.
Provincial School Board focal person Christopher Baricuatro said the original plan grouped the projects into 35 lots, but only 33 were accommodated under the approved budget.
He said the shortfall affected two remaining lots covering 17 classrooms, mostly intended for island towns including Poro, Tudela, and Pilar.
Baricuatro explained that building in island areas incurs higher costs compared to mainland projects due to additional shipping and logistical expenses.
Based on Capitol estimates, a single TLS unit costs about P1.14 million in mainland areas and around P1.18 million in island municipalities.
The provincial government initially allocated about P295 million for the program, which covers one-room temporary classrooms designed for students displaced by damaged school buildings.
Despite the funding gap, Baricuatro said the remaining units will be included once the Provincial School Board approves a supplemental budget in its next meeting in June.
He added that construction for the already-awarded units is expected to begin by mid to late June.
Each TLS unit can reportedly be completed within 30 to 45 days, allowing faster recovery of classroom spaces in affected schools.
The program aims to address learning disruptions caused by earthquakes and typhoons that damaged school facilities across Cebu in previous years.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro earlier said the initiative seeks to restore safe learning environments while permanent school buildings are repaired or rebuilt.
She said the Department of Education identified beneficiary schools, prioritizing those heavily affected by earthquakes.
The project is also expected to ease long-standing classroom shortages in the province, which have worsened following successive natural disasters. (SBA)
File photo: Jacq Hernandez
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