A wave of hope and renewed optimism swept through the Temporary Learning Space (TLS) in Sagonsongan, Marawi City, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday visited the site—marking a significant step toward the long-awaited return of students and teachers to permanent learning facilities.
For Ramla P. Radia, principal of Marawi Central Elementary Pilot School, the President’s presence was nothing short of divine intervention.
“It is an answered prayer para makita n’ya iyong sitwasyon ng TLS. Baka mapadali ang paglipat naming doon sa Ground Zero, ‘yung Marawi Integrated School. Iyon po ang inaasam-asam namin,” Radia said.
The school, operating in makeshift classrooms since the May-October 2017 Marawi siege, has been serving hundreds of displaced learners for eight years.
Among those learners is Jalaisa Oman Dimasangca, a Grade 10 student who has lived in an evacuation shelter since the siege. She shared how the donated Starlink Wi-Fi will greatly support their studies.
“Nakatira po ako sa evacuation shelter. Siguro 4 years na po ako nag-aaral dito. Malaki pong maitutulong sa amin ng Starlink Wi-Fi na binigay ni PBBM, lalo na’t hindi po kaya ng family naming mag-provide nito,” she said.
“Noon, gumagastos kami ng 5 to 10 pesos para makagamit ng internet. Ngayon, makakatipid na kami at magagamit ito sa research at newscasting subject namin,” she added.
The school supplies given to students were also welcomed with gratitude.
“Marami sa amin hindi pa nakakabili ng school supplies. Kaya ‘yung iba, inuulit na lang ang notebooks nila last year para makatipid,” Dimasangca said.
For teachers, the visit was an opportunity to voice longstanding challenges.
Raisa Asum, a Grade 3 teacher from Marawi City Elementary School, emphasized the urgent need for electricity and internet access.
“Salamat sa pagbisita ni PBBM. Wala po kaming ilaw dito. Kung mabibigyan po kami ng kuryente at Wi-Fi, malaking tulong ‘yan sa amin. Magagamit din po namin ang laptops para sa grading at lesson prep,” Asum said.
Following his inspection of the TLS and the nearby Marawi City General Hospital, President Marcos acknowledged the critical infrastructure gaps and reaffirmed the government’s support.
“Tiningnan din natin ang electrical supply ng school at hospital. Syempre ‘yun ang pinakaimportante,” he said.
Dr. Anna Zenaida A. Unte-Alonto, schools division Superintendent of Marawi City, called the Starlink installation “important and timely.”
“Until now, our displaced learners in Sagonsongan need a lot of help. Not all schools are equipped with Starlink, and it’s vital for communications, online classes, and alternative learning delivery modes,” she said.
“We are very happy and grateful to the President for making time to see our condition,” Unte-Alonto said.
The long-term goal remains the relocation of learners and teachers to the Marawi Dansalan Integrated School at Ground Zero.
For Norjehan S. Adjeb, also a Grade 10 student, “Ang paglipat po doon ang pinakamalaking tulong.”
“Dito sobrang sikip, at hindi namin marinig ang isa’t isa dahil sabay-sabay ang klase sa maliliit na espasyo,” she added.
Adjeb summed up her expression of hope simply and sincerely with a message of gratitude to President Marcos.
“Hi Mr. President, thank you sa pa-Wi-Fi. I hope makalipat na kami sa school na pinapagawa mo para sa amin. Matagal na po naming hinihintay ‘yun. Maraming, maraming salamat po.”
As Marawi continues its road to recovery, the President’s visit has rekindled the aspirations of its educators and youth—one they describe as a prayer finally being answered. | PND
