By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Around 1,000 new classrooms are expected to be constructed in the Negros Island Region (NIR) this year, according to Department of Education-NIR (DepEd-NIR) Director, Dr. Gilbert Sadsad.
He explained, the project was implemented in order to cover the growing number of students, especially those attending senior high school.
Sadsad said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) started the bidding process for the projects last month and are hoping the procurement process starts by August.
However, he admitted, due to the lack of classrooms in the region, some schools are forced into shifting schedules in order to accommodate students who do not have classrooms.
The DepEd official added, aside from classrooms, the number of teachers in the NIR is also deficient.
Earlier this week, the Bacolod City government opened two new school buildings at the Emiliano Lizares National High School (ELNHS) in Barangay Granada and the Luis Hervias National High School (LHNHS) in Barangay Villamonte./WDJ