Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian (in red polo shirt) visited the newly constructed footbridge built under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program.
MIDSALIP, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, Philippines — For years, children in Barangay Pisompongan here have braved the rushing waters of a river just to reach their classrooms, especially during the rainy season.
Their daily struggle, captured in a viral video last year that stirred widespread sympathy and debate nationwide, has now given way to relief and celebration.
On Monday, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited the newly constructed P4.3-million, two-classroom school building and a sturdy P1.4-million footbridge, both built under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program.
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The projects were prioritized after children were seen clutching their bags while wading through waist-deep waters.
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Beneficiaries
Barangay Pisompongan, composed of 366 households, or 1,688 residents, has 565 learners enrolled at Pisompongan Integrated School.
Of the 565 learners, 380 will directly benefit from the footbridge, which allows them to safely cross the river daily. These students are residents of Purok 2 and Purok 4 in the village.
For parents like Judith Maladia, a resident of Purok 4, the new footbridge brings relief, as her child will no longer have to wade through the river every day to attend school.
Pisompongan Integrated School principal Gideon Goc-ong last year raised his concern on the shortage of classrooms for both junior and senior high schools, and was thankful that the construction of the school building was given priority under the Kalahi-CIDSS program. /cb
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