CLARK FREEPORT – Central Luzon, one of the most progressive regions in the country, is in need of at least 11,373 classrooms for students at public schools.
This was according to DepEd Central Luzon Regional Director Beatriz G. Torno who was the guest during the Talk Widus at the Widus Hotel and
Casino last week. The press conference is a monthly event sponsored by the Pampanga Press Club in cooperation with Widus.
Central Luzon is composed of the provinces of Pampanga, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Tarlac, Zambales and Bulacan.
There are 4,131 classroom backlog in Pampanga, including in the cities of San Fernando (358), Angeles (369) and Mabalacat (321), according to Michelle Catap-Lacson of the DepEd information office.
Torno, who is set to retire this February, said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are tasked under the law to construct the classrooms for public elementary and high schools. She added that they experience delay in the construction of the classrooms but they
are at the mercy of the DPWH.
She appealed to media to help them expedite the constructions of the classrooms.
Torno disclosed that Region III has enough teachers. She added that they have at least 84,000 teachers in both elementary and high school.