The Iloilo provincial government has allocated PHP6.4 million for the construction of a two-classroom building dedicated to the Madrasah Education Program (MEP) at an elementary school in the municipality of Sara.

On Monday, Provincial School Board Secretary Ma. Freda Sabanal-Fajardo and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias handed over the check to Sara Elementary School principal Nancy Batobalani, Department of Education (DepEd) Division Coordinator for MEP Liza Balogo, Barangay Poblacion Ilawod Punong Barangay Godfrey Sonza, and barangay treasurer Erlita Frias during the flag-raising ceremony at the provincial capitol.

The MEP, part of Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.’s Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (BES PROBINS) initiative, promotes inclusive education by integrating Arabic Language and Islamic Values (ALIVE) into the basic education curriculum for Muslim learners.

It provides Muslim learners with educational opportunities that are relevant to their culture, traditions, and interests through the integration of Arabic Language and Islamic Values (ALIVE) into the basic education curriculum, and to provide a religious foundation in Islamic values and Qura’nic recitation, the provincial government said in a statement.

The new school building will feature culturally appropriate architectural elements, including a reading nook or prayer room to accommodate the five daily prayers of Muslim students, as designed by provincial architect Ian Peter Lama.

“The Madrasah Education Program is also mandated by law. It is being advocated for inclusive education. We are happy that at least we have given attention to our Muslim brothers in Iloilo,” Fajardo said in an interview.

Meanwhile, Fajardo also disclosed that the provincial government also released PHP8 million for the construction of a School of Living Tradition (SLT) for the indigenous people (IP) learners in Fernandez Perez Memorial High School in Barangay Datagan, Calinog.

The SLT is a two-story building with an open stage as a performance area and a gallery on the second floor.

The building, which can accommodate around 30 individuals, could be used as an evacuation center during calamities.

Fajardo said there was also a proposal to name the school after national living treasure Federico Caballero, an epic chanter and culture bearer of the Sulod-Bukidnon tribe in Central Panay, who died on Aug. 17, 2024. (PNA)