There is a lack of teachers in Iloilo Province's schools, according to Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr.

He said the national government cannot fund all the needs of the public schools, thus the Provincial School Board (PSB) hired 222 more teachers.

These PSB teachers receive an income of P 16,157 monthly and their contracts are renewable yearly.

"We are trying our best to give quality education so our students can be globally competitive," he said.

This year, the provincial government has allocated P 75 million for school services and facilities including the PSB teachers' salaries, trainings, rehabilitation, repair, salary, sports program, purchase of chairs, tables, construction of water services, buildings and classrooms, among others.

Last year, 76 public schools received P 14.4 million worth of financial assistance under the province's school rehabilitation program.

NEW SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd)-Iloilo now has a new school superintendent, Dr. Merna Castillo after Dr. Raymundo Lapating took his compulsory retirement last Monday at the age of 56.

Prior to her assignment, Castillo was the school superintendent of Antique province.

Defensor said that he and Castillo have talked about the lack of teachers and they decided to slowly resolve this.

POLITICAL OFFICE

There are some reports that Lapating might run for the mayoral post in Passi City in the 2013 elections.

Lapating said he does not close his door for such possibility. He added that some jobs in the national level are being offered to him, like as an advisor for the Department of Education.

He assured the public that he will continue to support the different programs of the DepEd even if he is no longer in government service.*