The construction of a government-run school building in an area that was once used as a training and recruitment center by communist rebels kicked off in Compostela, Davao de Oro on Thursday.

In his speech during the ceremony, Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy said they will fast-track the construction and turn over the school building within the month as part of the provincial government’s “Bayanihan sa Paaralan” program in Sitio Cambudlot, Barangay San Miguel.

“I thank the (indigenous community) who donated this two-hectare land. According to the DepEd (Department of Education), if we have a five-hectare land, we will have a good school [more classrooms] already. We will look into that and will request a budget from the national government,” he said.

Also present during the event were provincial and local officials, Philippine National Police (PNP), and teachers.

On January 14, members of the indigenous peoples (IP) community-led the demolition of the Salugpongan Ta’ Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center, Inc. (STTICLCI) in the area.

The demolition of the Salugpongan school was made possible after the IP community in April last year filed a resolution requesting a school run by the DepEd in their area, expressing concern that the old STTICLCI might be teaching its students to revolt against the government.

Village officials of San Miguel’s approved the request of the IPs for the security, welfare, and common good of its constituents.

San Miguel village chairperson Joel Balili said the STTICLCI was built in 2011 and has stopped operations in 2017.

Balili said he was happy with the latest development in Cambudlot as he described the place as being indoctrinated by the communist New People’s Army, considering that it was the farthest sitio in the barangay. (PNA)