LUNA, Apayao – Three Balay Pagdadarnan, each costing PhP5 Million, which have multipurpose use were turned over to three schools in Marag Valley following their inauguration on May 16, 2023.
Marag Elementary School, Cagandungan West Elementary School, and Calabigan Elementary School are the new recipients of these facilities.
Balay Pagdadarnan, meaning “meeting place” in Isnag, is an initiative of the provincial government designed to serve as venues for school and community events while functioning as evacuation centers during emergencies.
The facilities will have high-speed internet connectivity, linking barangays to their respective municipal governments, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), and the provincial government.
Leading the ceremony were Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr., Apayao Lone District Representative Cong. Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang, alongside Luna Mayor Josephine Bangsil, Vice Mayor Manolito Bullaoit, Schools Division of Apayao representatives, barangay officials, and students of said schools.
In his message, Bulut emphasized the multifaceted purpose of the Balay Pagdadarnan saying “This is not limited to DepEd activities. The community can utilize this facility as well. Adu iti mabalin nga purpose na daytoy nga building tayo; mabalin iti meetings, community gatherings, kada barangay assemblies.”
He further encouraged the people to remain patient and optimistic. “Agsagana kayo. Uray saggabassit iti addang iti progreso, adda iti makitkita tayo nga direksyon na. Uray nu mabayag iti pannakaisayangkat iti programa, at least adda iti ur-urayen tayo,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bulut-Begtang reiterated the benefits of having numerous infrastructure facilities, such as the Balay Pagdadarnan, mentioning “Mayat nga adu iti buildings tayo ta isu iti nagbalin nga napanan iti tattao nangruna idi pandemic.”
The legislator also underscored the importance of government programs available to the public, encouraging them to take advantage of these initiatives. “Nagado iti programa nga diretso kanyayu, take advantage of it,” she said, adding that the new Department of Social Welfare and Development initiative, the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program, is a substantial aid for yApayao minimum wage earners.
This is the third set of Balay Pagdadarnan inaugurated this year, following those at Ayayao Elementary School in Calanasan and Aurora Elementary School in Pudtol. Two more Balay Pagdadarnan are scheduled for turnover this year in Anninipan and Malayugan in Flora.
The provincial government plans to construct six more Balay Pagdadarnan this year, one in each municipality of Luna, Pudtol, Flora, Calanasan, Kabugao, and Conner, whose main goal is to establish over 100 Balay Pagdadarnan in schools, aligning with Governor Bulut’s vision to improve school and disaster response facilities across the province. By JCM