By Rachel Magday
NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — The provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya, through the Governor’s Office–Internal Audit Services Office (IASO), initiated the ceremonial turnover of more than 100 school buildings and facilities, funded through the province’s Special Education Fund (SEF) from 2018 to 2024 and valued at nearly P180 million, to public elementary and secondary schools across the province.
The turnover ceremony was held at the Ammungan Hall of the Provincial Capitol and was led by Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito, together with Vice Governor Eufemia Ang Dacayo,BM Flodemonte S. Gerdan and Department of Education (DepEd) officials headed by Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Orlando S. Manuel.
Monica A. Bejarin, Internal Auditor III of IASO, said the activity was conducted to comply with Commission on Audit (COA) requirements.
COA earlier noted that the school buildings were built using the Special Education Fund and are intended for DepEd public schools, but their value—about P173.480 million—was still listed in the provincial government’s financial records.
COA said the records should be transferred to DepEd because DepEd is the agency that actually receives and uses the buildings. If the transfer is not completed, the provincial government’s recorded assets will be overstated.
The projects turned over included classroom buildings, kindergarten buildings, child development centers, home economics buildings, industrial arts buildings, Special Education (SPED) buildings, and other dschool facilities.
During the program, Gov.Gambito thanked DepEd Nueva Vizcaya and school officials for their continued partnership with the provincial government.
He also asked for their sustained support and cooperation with his administration, saying the province aims to further strengthen programs and projects for learners, teachers, and public schools through close coordination with DepEd.
SDS Orlando S. Manuel, in turn, lauded Gov.Gambito’s dedication to public service—describing it as “deeper than the ocean and higher than the mountains”—and conveyed the division’s gratitude for the provincial government’s support to the education sector.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we expressed our heartfelt gratitude and thanksgiving to the excellence of work of the provincial government that accelerate and propel the growth and development of the province,” Manuel said.
He added that DepEd commits to work “hand in hand” with the provincial government to make learning spaces “the best environment ever for our learners—the future leaders in Nueva Vizcaya.”
Meanwhile, Punong Barangay Manuel B. Gines of Barangay Busilac,Bayombong, speaking on behalf of various barangays, also expressed gratitude to the provincial government for its support to education, which he said is vital to communities.
He noted that aside from key officials, DepEd serves as a “central pillar” of the province.
