DAVAO ORIENTAL — Teachers and students of the Tamisan Elementary School in the City of Mati expressed their thanks to the Provincial Government as they formally received the new Potable Water System during the turn-over ceremony on September 4.

“This project means a lot to our school,” said School Principal Silvestre Tuba. “Before, our classroom would stink because we lack water to clean the toilets. The school children would come late in their class because they have to fetch water first. We were also not able to implement the Gulayan sa Paaralan,” he added, noting that their previous water source did not have enough supply as it is located at the coastal community of Barangay Tamisan, City of Mati.

“Now, we can implement the Gulayan sa Paaralan, the comfort rooms are also functional, and the students can attend their classes without being late. Also, the students don’t have to bring drinking water because this Potable Water System is tested by Department of Science and Technology to be safe,” he added.

Amounting to P463,049 funded through the Local Government Development Fund of the province, the project will benefit more than 300 students and school personnel. The project included the drilling of the 90-feet water source, 600 meters distribution pipelines, and the construction of concrete ground reservoir.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, who spearheaded the turn-over ceremony, said he is pleased that the project was completed a year after Tuba proposed this project to him. The Nagkakaisang Lingkod Bayan ng Davao Oriental Barangay Outreach Caravan (NLD-BOC) conducted last year at the barangay provided an avenue for the school to lobby their requests to the governor.

“I am very happy that the children as well as the teachers can now benefit of this project,” he said.

Also, Governor Dayanghirang committed to construct 2 classrooms for the school, along with other infrastructure projects for the community like the barangay hall and covered court.

“We have already allocated funding for the two classrooms that we will construct in your school starting this year,” Governor Dayanhirang added.

One of the many thankful recipients of the project is Department of Education’s Public Schools District Supervisor Jo-Ann Mantog. In her message, she committed to help sustain the project.

“It’s a blessing to have a Potable Water System. Thank you, Governor, from the bottom of our heart. We will work together to sustain the project. Thank you for supporting not only Tamisan Elementary School but for also supporting the many schools of Mati North District,” she said.