The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Angat Buhay Foundation chairperson and former Philippines vice president Leni Robredo.
The foundation’s one-story dormitory, the first of its kind in Cebu, will provide shelter to 39 UPHS indigent students and one house parent for free.
The construction is expected to be finished in four to six months.
“Our dream is that this dormitory will help indigent students. Even though tuition is free, it would still be difficult if they had nowhere else to live,” said Robredo.
She disclosed that the beneficiary students will be chosen by the university’s high school department.
“So this is going to be a free dormitory for indigent students. Ang pipili po neto ay ang high school department. Ang pakiusap lang natin ay ang the most in need,” added Robredo.
The project’s construction will be funded by the foundation’s partner organization, such as the Australian Embassy, said Barry Codera, the program manager for education of Angat Buhay.
Robredo said that once the project is completed, she will look for other private partners who will help in providing the needed equipment.
“When we inaugurate the dorm, we will also meet our other private partners who would help in setting the dorm itself. Partners giving gadgets, the furnishings, and giving the kitchen equipment that is needed for the dorm,” she said.
In order to allow students who live in remote locations to attend school and lower the dropout rate in the Philippines, Robredo also stressed the need to establish more dorms in other areas.
The project has been suggested by Cebu Vice Governor Hilario “Junjun” Davide III after noticing that many UPHS students were not from Cebu City.
“I know that UP is a public school and there are many students here who are not residents of Cebu so they need a place to stay here,” said Davide.
In Calabangga, at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, at a high school in Pontevedra, Capiz, and in Sorsogon, which is the most recent dormitory to be built in collaboration with the Australian Embassy, further buildings will be constructed.
Other dormitories are set to be constructed in Calabangga, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, a high school in Pontevedra, Capiz, and in Sorsogon, which are also in partnership with the Australian Embassy. (CNU Intern Denise Mae Codis)
