BONTOC, Mountain Province – Rain or shine, community and school activities can now be conducted at the Mountain Province General Comprehensive High School (MPGCHS) in this capital town with the construction and completion of the school’s quadrangle shade or open gym.
As a project of the Provincial Government of Mountain Province, the open gym was constructed in two phases: Phase 1 started on July 23, 2015 and was finished on November 4, 2015 in the amount of five million pesos; Phase 2 commenced on March 22, 2016 and was completed on September 28, 2016.
Aside from this, a comfort room near the Eyeb open gymnasium amounting to two million pesos was also funded by the provincial government.
During the Blessing, Inauguration and Turnover of the Open Gym and Comfort Room, Reverend Father Marcial C. Castañeda, Parish Priest of the Sta. Rita de Cascia and who officiated the blessing of the newly- constructed facilities, highlighted the goodness of the Lord and the gratefulness of God’s people for the blessings the school has been receiving. He encouraged all students to be responsible stewards in using the facilities of the school and for them to ensure that these shall last for the succeeding generations to also enjoy.
MPGCHS Principal IV Atkinson F. Tudlong thanked the provincial government, municipal government, barangay government and other stakeholders for their concern for the educational welfare of the students. He shared that three years ago, the school invited the late Governor Leonard G. Mayaen, Governor Bonifacio C.Lacwasan Jr., who was then the Vice Governor, Bontoc Mayor Franklin C. Odsey and former Bontoc Vice Mayor Peter L. Puma-at to officiate the Oath Taking of the elected officers of Parents-Teachers Association and Student club. Incidentally, it rained that day and the quadrangle where the activity was held had no shade. Tudlong was happy that the rain experienced that day turned out to be a blessing as the late Gov. Mayaen publicly announced thereafter that the provincial government will allocate funds for the construction of a permanent shade for the school’s quadrangle.
The school also requested to the provincial government for the repair and improvement of the comfort room at the Eyeb open gymnasium. “The Provincial Government did not only grant our wish, but also allocated budget for the construction of two comfort rooms. The provincial government is generous to MPGCHS,” he gratefully said.
Tudlong relayed that MPGCHS is always a venue of district and provincial activities, thus, it will not only be the students and faculty and staff of the recipient school that will benefit in using these facilities.
Schools Division Superintendent Gloria B. Buya-ao of the Mountain Province Schools Division Office (MPSDO) also thanked the government from the provincial down to the barangay level as the DepEd is always a recipient of their generosity. She urged the students to take good care of the gift they received as they enjoy the comfort of the facilities constructed for their use. “Structures will have significance if you, the students give life to its existence. These by doing your best in your studies and being responsible individuals in the community,” Buya-ao remarked.
Bontoc Mayor Franklin C. Odsey stated that the occasion manifests that there is unity between and among the stakeholders so that the two projects were realized. Odsey added that students deserve good facilities like the newly constructed shade and comfort room. He is also hopeful that said it will inspire the students to do their best and bring honor to their school. “We have it blessed pray that these facilities will bring good physical well-being to you,” the mayor further said.
In his message, Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr., reminisced how the projects became a reality – their inception, construction and completion.
“These projects are but two among the legacies of the late Gov. Mayaen,” Lacwasan said.
As custodians to the aforementioned projects, the management and maintenance of said structures are now the school’s responsibility. Lacwasan expressed high hopes that all stakeholders, especially the students will now be more inspired and will enjoy their stay in the school given the newly constructed physical facilities.
By Alpine L. Killa
