SURIGAO CITY, Philippines – The national government has allotted some P53 million as support funding for the school buildings in the various municipalities of Surigao del Norte – boosting the education program of the province.

This good news was reechoed on Thursday to the municipal mayors as a result of their recent meeting with Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro, Representative Francisco T. Matugas (1st District, Surigao del Norte), Representative Guillermo Romarate Jr. (2nd District, Surigao del Norte), and Governor Sol F. Matugas.

The governor immediately conducted a series of meetings with the mayors and other local officials of the municipalities of Malimono, San Isidro, Pilar, Alegria, Claver, Del Carmen, Bacuag, Sison, Placer, and San Benito for the implementation of the projects.

In the meeting, Provincial Engineer Alwin Pono presented the duties and responsibilities of the Municipal Local Government Unit Officials (MLGUO) and also laid down other rules and regulations in the implementation of the school building projects.

One of the guidelines is the proper implementation and thorough supervision and monitoring of the projects by the mayors, which must also be properly monitored by the DepEd’s Surigao del Norte Division Office.

Matugas said school rooms that will be constructed must have “hand-washing and tooth-brushing” facilities.

“They should also have soil treatment and all funds intended for these school buildings must be properly utilized with good quality materials, and its time line of completion must be properly followed,” said the governor.

The provincial government of Surigao del Norte is also stepping up its education program by way of good quality and right teaching, more schools and distribution of more books to various public schools, especially those in far-flung municipalities and communities.

In another development, in partnership with the Department of Health-Center for Health Development in the Caraga Region, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and other stakeholders, the Agusan del Norte Provincial Health Office (PHO) launched the “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” program at the Butuan City Convention Center recently.

According to Dr. Elizabeth N. Campado, Provincial Health Officer II, the purpose of the program is to give protection to the Agusanons so that they can take advantage of the appropriate services for good health that will be provided by the various health facilities of the province of Agusan del Norte, especially for the indigents.

It was learned that Caraga Health Regional Director Leonita P. Gorgolon, municipal and city mayors, municipal health officers, Sangguniang Bayan members, non-government organizations, and community volunteer workers attended the launching of the program.