BAROTAC VIEJO, Santiago—Kindergarten pupils all lined up outside their classroom before entering their 8 am class. Happily, they wait to be seated on their own chairs.

Classes commence and they are comfortable in their well-lit and ventilated room adorned with colorful décor such as cut out dolls, and animals.

At the end of the day, they run around, freely laughing while playing with their classmates. It’s a beautiful sight, being able to see that your children are safe in their surroundings.

This was not the case for the kindergarten class of Santiago Elementary School three years ago, said Joy Balbon, a kindergarten teacher.

Balbon, shared her difficult experiences. “Ang daan namon nga classroom makeshift lang gid siya. Bale, ang stockroom lang sang eskwelahan namon sadto ang gin obra nga room para sa mga bata kay kulang ang amon mga facilities. Tapos ang dingding, cyclone wire lang gid siya. Kon mag-ulan gani basa ang mga bata. Naluoy kami sa ila kay dulom didto, grabe ang yab-ok kag indi gid nami para sa mga kabataan (Our old classroom was only a make shift room. It was the old stockroom of the school and they turned it into a classroom since we lacked facilities. The walls were made of cyclone wire. Every time it rained, the children would get wet. We pitied the kids since the room was dark and dusty. It was not a good for our children).” 

The learning experiences of the children were compromised because of the classroom’s condition. It was not an ideal space for them to learn. This physical state of the classroom was the entire community’s concern since it affects the pupils well-being.

Before, the classroom could only accommodate few students per class since the space was very small. These pupils came from neighboring barangays namely, San Fernando, Santiago,and Luca. However, there were number of pupils who enrolled to avail of the early childhood education. They had no choice but cramped themselves in a small room just to have their classes.

Today, there are 25 pupils enrolled in Kinder 1 and another 25 pupils in Kinder 2. Classes for Kinder 1 were held in the morning and afternoon for Kinder 2 respectively.

Justina Bacadantolo, parent of one the pupils, feared that their child would not get quality education because of their situation before.

“Sang gadul-ong ko sang una sa bata ko, pirme ya gid gina-angal sa akon nga indi daw siya kahulag sa ila kwarto. Pirme siya wala gana magsulod kay magin-ot kuno kag gutok. Naluoy kami nga mga nanay, amo na ngaa nangita gid kami paagi nga mahatag namon sa ila ang classroom nga na-deserve nila (Whenever I would bring my kid to school, she would always complain that they were not able to move freely inside their room. She didn’t like going to school because it was hot and they were all crammed in the small space. All the mothers felt bad, that is why we tried to find a way to give them the classroom that they deserved),” she said.

Along with the Parent-Teachers’ Association (PTA) and the faculty, they eagerly asked for help from the barangay local government unit. However, their problem could not be addressed since there is no enough budget from the barangay for the construction of a new classroom.

Just when all hope was lost for Santiago Elementary School, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) National Community-Driven Development (NCDDP) entered and provided the community a P863,000 grant for the construction of a one-unit classroom.

In September 2015, the construction started. Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee Chairperson, Marivic Agsaluna, spearheaded the group of volunteers for this project. She witnessed how the project brought the neighbourhood together, and how every household contributed to the success of the project.

“Grabe ang pag-ugyon sang mga tawo. Nakibot ako sa suporta nga ginhatag sang mga pumuluyo. Wala ko gin ekspektar nga tanan gid sila ang mabulig. Tanan nga balakid nga ma agyan namon sa pagpatukod sini nga proyekto na solusyonan kay wala man ga duwa-duwa ang mga tawo nga maghatag sang ila oras kag effort (The unity shown by the people was remarkable. I was surprised with the support that the residents gave. I did not expect that they would all help. Every obstacle that we encountered in the implementation of this project was addressed because the people did not hesitate to give their time and effort),” she said.

To fast-track the project, the locals volunteered their time by painting the walls of the classroom, decorating it and planting flowers and fruit bearing trees in the surroundings.

The community also provided electric fans, curtains, and some books and toys for the children to enjoy.

Romeo Agsaluna, barangay captain, shared his pride with the completed project. On December 2015, the classroom unit was already functional and the students were able to use it.

“Bilang tatay sang amon barangay, grabe gid ang pasalamat namon sa hinatag nga proyekto nga ni. Nasadyahan ako kay positibo gid ang nangin feedback sang mga ginikanan kag mga faculty. Gin turn-over na sang barangay ang sub-project nga ini sa PTA para sila na ang magpakay-o kag magpadayon sang pagkanami sang classroom (As the father of the barangay, we are very thankful that we were given this project. I am so happy with the very positive feedback from the parents and faculty. The barangay already turned-over the sub-project to the PTA, so that they will be responsible in its maintenance and functionality.  And fix whatever damage and continuously maintain the beauty of the classroom),” he said.

If it was not for the barangay’s efforts, and the community’s spirit of bayanihan, the comfort for a decent room could not be enjoyed by the kindergarten pupils of Santiago Elementary School now.

This classroom not only provided the kindergarten pupils a safe space, but it also gave them an equal opportunity to learn and have fun. There will be no more worries for the children whether it rains or the sun is up because now they have their own room. A place where they can call their second home.#