Akbayan Party categorically denies allegations that it has benefited from a school building project in Batino Elementary School, Quezon City. The charges include that the classroom project was overpriced, that it has been left unfinished, and that Akbayan has reserved a part of it for its “exclusive use”. Such allegations are without any basis and are tainted with malice intended to only malign Akbayan.
The reported school building project, which is currently under construction, is intended for the benefit of the schoolchildren, particularly children with special needs who are enrolled in the said school. The elementary school has been identified as a priority school for a school building project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Firstly, the accusation that it is an overpriced classroom project is absolutely false. It is not a single classroom project but a two-story building project comprised of four classrooms. It is true that the school building project is a P 5 million project funded from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Akbayan Party Representative Walden Bello. However, such pricing is a standard price for a two-story four classroom pegged by no less than the DPWH.
Secondly, it is also untrue that the school building has been left unfinished. The fact is, the school building project is still under construction. The project, which was started last May, is slated to be completely finished and turned over this October 2011.
Lastly, it is an utter lie that a part of the school building project has been reserved for the exclusive use of Akbayan. It is a baseless accusation intended to score political points without even investigating the facts at hand. The school building project will primarily benefit the students as well as the different sectors that may want to use it for their community activities.
Akbayan will continue to help in this and many other social service projects around the country. Baseless and malicious accusations hurled by certain quarters who wish to besmirch our party’s name will not deter us from ensuring important services reach those who need it the most. ###
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