In October 2020, the country was hit by the three consecutive typhoons, Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses, which caused damages and even full destruction to a number of houses and buildings in the province. One of the severely damaged structures is the school pavilion of Odiongan Elementary School. As the venue where various school activities and events of the community are held, the school pavilion is greatly needed. But because of its current situation, inconveniences and even cancellation of activities arise during bad weather.
When the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, led by Governor Luigi Villafuerte, conducted relief operations in the said school, heavy rain poured down. Right then and there, Governor Villafuerte saw the need for the school pavilion’s renovation.
Rufino Enriquez, Principal I of the school was elated upon the fast response of Governor Luigi to their request. Principal Enriquez said, “Dakula po an sakuyang kaogmahan as a School Head, lalo na pag nahiling ini kan mga parent na may mga nagtatrabaho asin mahahaman na. Igwa na po giraray kaming place kun sain mi ico-conduct an samuyang activities. Gabos po kami igdi sa samuyang lugar naoogma.”
On June 17, 2022, the renovation of the school pavilion of Odiongan Elementary School in Barangay Turague, Sagñay began its construction through the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur’s Cash-for-Work Program. This program aims not only to benefit the community with their requested projects, but to also provide their locals with additional source of income. The program hires locals as laborer-beneficiaries, who will work for 10 days and earn a daily wage of Php310.
Among the laborer-beneficiaries is 44-year-old Arnel Delchez, who is also a guardian of students in the said school. “Dakulang pabor [ining proyekto] para sa mga estudyante igdi asin pati na sa mga magurang ta narealisar itong kaipuhan mi,” he said. Delchez added, “Lalo na kun may okasyon po baga tapos mauran, syempre kaipuhan may atop ta hirak man kan mga aki. So dakula pong bagay na nagkaigwa ka ining proyekto sa eskwelahan.”
At present, his nephew and niece stay with him and his wife. The salary that Delchez will receive is of great help as they sometimes support the children from their own pockets whenever their parents are incapable to provide. With utmost gratitude, he said, “Dakula po an pasasalamat ming mga magurang na may eskwela igdi sa Odiongan Elementary School sa pavilion na itinao kan Provincial Government of Camarines Sur,” Delchez added, “Salamat pong maray ta narealisar na an samuya pong pangiturugan na magkaigwa ning pavilion igdi sa samong eskwelahan. Bako sana po ining para sa mga estudyante kundi pwede man ini gamiton kun may mga event an barangay.”
Through the temporary employment under the Cash-for-Work Program, the locals benefit from the additional source of income for their families. They also use their earnings to support their children’s school expenses and provide their daily needs.
Another parent who was appeased by the project is 53-year-old Rosalia Avila of Turague, Sagñay. She was grateful for the project provided by the Provincial Government as it will make her children’s studies more comfortable.
“Kun mayo po ining tabang kang probinsya, ma-collect na naman kaming contribution sa kada parent asin sa PTA tanganing makabakal para may atop diyan [sa pavilion],” shared Avila. She gratefully added, “Dakulang pasalamat po sa Provincial Government sa tinaong tabang para samong parents asin mga teachers igdi sa Odiongan Elementary School. In behalf po kang parents, faculty staff kan Odiongan Elementary School, asin sa mga ma-trabaho igdi, salamat po sa dakulaon na tabang para sa mga masunod pang aki na maereskwela igdi.”
With utmost gratitude, Principal Enriquez thanked everyone who became part of the renovation project. “Lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa Provincial Government sa pagkakaigwa ning construction kan samuyang school pavilion. Sa pamamayo ni dating Gobernador Migz Villafuerte asin sa saiyang tugang na kasalukuyan pong gobernador ngunyan, Governor Luigi Villafuerte, dakula mi pong pasasalamat na madali an pagresponde kan probinsya sa samuyang request, mahahaman tulos an proyekto asin magagamit mi na ini hasta sa masurunod pang taon,” he said.
