THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recently said the total number of classrooms built under its Classroom Galing sa Mamamayan Abroad (CGMA) Program, which aims to alleviate classroom shortage, is steadily approaching the 400 mark nationwide.

A report reaching Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas indicated that a total of 312 CGMA classrooms have been finished, while another 62 are in various stages of construction in several regions. Seven classrooms are also undergoing school area identification, and 19 are undergoing site validation and documentation prior to construction.

Undersecretary for Employment Danilo P. Cruz, Executive Head of the DOLE CGMA Program, reported that six new classrooms were recently inaugurated and turned over to Paggulayan Elementary School in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, Francisco Benitez Elementary School in Tondo, Manila, and Tagulod High School in Candaba East, Pampanga.

Cruz said the CGMA Program is a continuing global initiative of the DOLE in collaboration with the Departments of Education (DepEd), Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII).

“The CGMA classrooms donated by overseas Filipino communities, overseas Filipino workers and employers of OFWs, individual, corporate, and other magnanimous donors here and abroad are now benefiting thousands of elementary and high school students nationwide,” he said.