RIYADH, 19 September 2003 — Manila is seeking support from overseas Filipinos to help build classrooms in the Philippines, and so far 10 community groups in Riyadh have pledged support for the project.

Dubbed “Classroom, Galing sa Mamamayang Pilipino Abroad (CGMA),” the classroom project is spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which has sent emissaries around the globe to actively solicit support from the Filipino diaspora.

On Wednesday, Labor Undersecretary Danilo Cruz met with community members in Riyadh to discuss the objectives of the project. He said it was in support of the basic education agenda of President Arroyo.

Cruz echoed the appeal of Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas to the leaders of the community to convey to their members about the critical shortage of classrooms in many public schools in the Philippines. The program, launched on June 27, aims to build 10,000 classrooms up to June 2004.

He cited a latest report from the Department of Education on the current average student-classroom ratio, which is 80 to 200 students per classroom in many city schools; some are “spilling out onto the corridors.” From about only 17,000 classroom shortage in 1992, there is a critical need now of 44,000 additional classrooms.

In this donate-a-classroom project, the DOLE forged a partnership with the departments of foreign affairs and education, and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Inc.(FFCCCI), which built and donated more than 2,500 provincial school buildings on its own initiative.

To ensure transparency and financial accountability, Cruz said that the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) will be the trust administrator, the DOLE will manage and supervise fund disbursement, the Central Bank will handle the accounting. the FFCCCI will be responsible in selecting an efficient and trusted contractor.

Financial statements, construction status and details of the classroom being built will likewise be posted on the website cgma.dole.gov.ph.

One standard 7m x 9m classroom, which is designed in accordance with the approved standards of DECS, can be built at a discounted cost of $4,000 or about 200,000 pesos. Cruz said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was kept out because it cannot construct a standard classroom with a 200,000-peso budget.

For each classroom donated by the OFW groups, Cruz said that the program will also build another one alongside with it.

Ambassador Bahnarim Guinomla, in his welcome remarks, hoped that the gathering will encourage more support from a wider base to include more organizations, sponsors, private companies, and civic-minded groups.

Ten groups have filled out pledge donation forms. Seven more intend to take part in the program.

Regional associations are given the option to choose the place their donation would be put-up. The program has identified places where there are shortages of classrooms in the primary and secondary levels such as in the provinces of Pampanga and Cavite.

Cruz announced that similar pledges have gathered earlier from Filipinos residing and working in other parts of the world. Even the recruitment and manning agencies in the Philippines had been tapped for assistance.

The activity was organized by the embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) under Jainal Rasul, Jr. whose term as labor attaché ends on September 30.

Additional details of the project can be obtained from the Philippine embassies, consulates, and labor offices. Interested organizations may also visit the website or e-mail ([email protected]) or snail mail (CGMA Project Management Office, 7/F, DOLE Bldg., Intramuros, Manila.)