The Provincial Government of South Cotabato has delivered essential learning resources to madrasah schools across four municipalities, marking a significant effort to improve educational infrastructure for Muslim students in the region. On March 24-25, 2025, the Convergence Approach for Transformation and Change – Unification Program (CATCH-UP) and the Provincial Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) Secretariat, in collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), distributed 120 armchairs, foldable tables, and industrial fans to schools in Norala, Polomolok, Tantangan, and T’boli.
Cris Pingkunn R. Fuentes, Project Development Officer 2, who led the turnover ceremony, emphasized the project’s broader impact. “We’re investing directly in our children’s potential,” Fuentes explained. “Each chair represents a child’s right to a comfortable, conducive learning environment.”
Local educators have welcomed the support. Shirley Mae Sugatamama Ustadz, a teacher at one of the recipient madrasah schools, expressed her gratitude. “Writing has been a challenge without proper seating,” she said. “Now, our students can focus on learning without physical discomfort.”
The distribution of these resources aims to address basic infrastructure needs and improve learning experiences for students in the targeted municipalities. By providing essential classroom equipment, the Provincial Government seeks to demonstrate its commitment to educational equity and support for local madrasah schools. The collaborative effort between CATCH-UP, PTF-ELCAC Secretariat, and PDRRMO underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation in supporting educational development in the region.
