New integrated school in Bataraza to open soon

A new integrated school in the town of Bataraza is opening soon after its inauguration recently.

Ocayan Elementary School in Ocayan, Bataraza is now officially becomes Ocayan Integrated School after the school has completed all the permits required for the establishment of an integrated school.

“It took us more than two years before we acquire the necessary permits for us to become an integrated school. Thus, even with the completion of the classrooms built by CBNC months ago for this school, we still cannot start the implementation. But now, we are ready,” said Girlie Barretto, school head of Ocayan Integrated School.

The new integrated school will start to accommodate Grades 7 and 8 students next school year. There is no need already for the students to go to high schools in other barangays to continue their studies unlike before.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to cater students until Grade 12. We are confident that we can do it because that is our plan,” added Barreto.

Currently, students of grade 7 and onwards pursues their schooling in Rio Tuba or in other schools in Bataraza after they finished Grade 6 at Ocayan Elementary School.

“This is a big help for us parents. Not only that we can save from transportation cost and related expense, but more than that we will have a peace of mind since they are just within our reach,” said one of the parents.

Schools Division Superintendent sees the project as an example of education reform.

“Ang Ocayan Integrated School ay isang halimbawa ng reporma sa edukasyon. Sa pamamagitan ng paglalapit ng paaralan sa mga kabataan, mas mapapabilis ang pagpapaabot ng serbisyo at edukasyon sa mga estudyante at mas magagabayan ng mga magulang ang kanilang mga anak at maiiwasan ang mga pagliban sa klase,” (“The Ocayan Integrated School is an example of educational reform. The improved access to education of our youth, facilitates fast delivery of education. The parents would also be able to guide their children and addressed problem on absenteeism,”) said Maylyn Dilig, Senior Education Specialist for Special Mobilization and Networking at Schools division who represented School’s Division Superintendent Roger F. Capa.

Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) has become instrumental in the establishment of Ocayan Integrated School. It constructed two units of classroom building and a school stage as a start, and will continue to allot funds for its future development through its Social Development and Management Program (SDMP).  In the past, CBNC also supported the establishment of Biriran Integrated School, Sumbiling National High School, Tarusan National High School, Peace and Development Community National High School and Amando C. Lahoz National High School, all in Bataraza.

In his message during the inauguration, CBNC Community Relations Section Head Laurence Amores said, “Sa pagsasama-sama ng komunidad ay magagampanan po natin kahit ang maliliit na gampanin tulad nito lalo’t higit handog natin ito sa ating mga kabataan.” (“The unity of all the sectors in the community will make significant development in the community, no matter how little they may seem, such as this project considering this is for the welfare of the children.”)

CBNC TURNED OVER 2 SCHOOL BUILDING AND SCHOOL STAGE PROJECT IN BATARAZA

In a ceremony held in February 3, Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) turned over two units of school building and school stage project in Barangay Ocayan.

The two classrooms are the initial buildings built in preparation for the opening of integrated school in Barangay Ocayan. The school stage on the other hand replaces the old one constructed then for Ocayan Elementary school. CBNC spent a total of Php 2.9 Million to complete the project. The projects are still part of the last year’s Social Development and Management Project (SDMP) of CBNC for Barangay Ocayan.

“We know how important for the people of this barangay (Ocayan) to have a high school. That is why we at CBNC want this to make it happen,” said CBNC Comrel Section Head Laurence Amores during the turnover.

The projects are part of the Php 7.2 Million budget of the barangay in 2022. This 2023, more projects are expected at Barangay Ocayan with the Php 11.4 million budget allotted this year.

CBNC Comrel Section Head Laurence Amores (left in white shirt) led the ribbon cutting for the two classroom buildings of Ocayan Integrated School. With him is Ppunong Barangay of OcayanDanilo Recla (in black shirt),  Bataraza District 2 Supervisor Rutheda Bacosa, Provincial Board Member Marivic Roxas, Ocayan Integrated School Principal Girlie Barreto (in extreme left).