Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman joined Department of Education IX Regional Director Ruth Fuentes during the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a three-classroom building at Barangay Tampalan, September 19. This project, funded by DepEd’s Last Mile Schools Program, aims to address the gaps in infrastructure for secondary education in remote and underserved areas, particularly benefitting the indigenous Bajau community.
This initiative is part of the Last Mile Schools Program, which is specifically designed to support far-flung schools that lack basic facilities and resources. The new classroom building will help provide a conducive learning environment for learners from the Indigenous Peoples community in Barangay Tampalan, ensuring they have access to quality education despite geographical challenges.
Gracing the event were DepEd IX Assistant Regional Director Gregorio Dr. Cyrus Elejorde, accompanied by superintendents from the different schools division offices in the region, including Zamboanga del Norte Superintendent Dr. Roy Tuballa, Dapitan City Superintendent Dr. Felix Romy Triambulo, Zamboanga del Sur Superintendent Dr. Jeanelyn Aleman, Zamboanga Sibugay Superintendent Dr. Virgilio Batan Jr., Dipolog City Superintendent Dr. Ma. Liza Tabilon, Pagadian City Superintendent Dr. Danny Cordova, and Zamboanga City Superintendent Dr. Majarani Jacinto.
The event was also attended by key stakeholders, including IPMR Mary May Julhari, SDS Dr. Jay Montealto and ASDS Dr. Maria Laarni Villanueva. Also present were SGOD Chief Eduardo Gulang and CID Chief Henry Tura and MAPEH EPS Dr. Arnel Hajan. (Words by SJ Asakil/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)