SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday pressed the government to ensure that there will be adequate facilities when in-person classes fully resume in November.

Gatchalian noted that in some schools with large populations, some learners had to attend class in school gymnasiums and covered courts while some had to sit on the floor.

He also observed that some classrooms are congested because of enrollment influx and learners’ migration.

“Sisiguraduhin nating mabibigyan ng sapat na pondo ang pagpapatayo ng classrooms. Malaking pondo ang kakailanganin lalo na para sa mga paaralan sa bansa na tinamaan ng nakaraang malakas na lindol at bagyong Odette na tumama noong Disyembre ng nakaraang taon,” Gatchalian said.

The Department of Education said that it needs P86.5 billion to construct classrooms in 2023.

Gatchalian thanked the country’s education frontliners for ensuring the smooth opening of schools and ensuring the continuity of education despite the persisting Covid19 threat.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating mga guro, mga punong-guro, at ating mga schools superintendent para tiyakin ang maayos na pagbubukas ng ating mga paaralan ngayong school year. Hindi magiging posible ang pagpapatuloy ng edukasyon at ang ligtas na pagbabalik ng face-to-face classes kung hindi dahil sa kanilang patuloy na pagsisikap, kaya naman ipinapaabot natin sa kanila ang ating pinakamataas na pagpupugay,” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education said.