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GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/16 February) – The provincial government of South Cotabato has allocated some P5 million to help fund the construction of the initial buildings of the planned Philippine Science High School (PSHS) campus in nearby Koronadal City. South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said Thursday the appropriation was endorsed by the Provincial School Board to augment the P5 million earlier committed by Rep. Carol Jayne Lopez of the Youth Against Corruption and Poverty or YACAP party-list group. The provincial government earlier spent some P7.3 million for the acquisition of the school’s site in Barangay Paraiso in Koronadal City. The 4.5-hectare lot was the provincial government’s counterpart to the project based on an agreement with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). “We decided to help put up the initial buildings so the project can start early, just like what we did before with UP (University of the Philippines),” the governor said. Pingoy was referring to the construction last year of the initial phase of the two-storey, six-classroom main building and UP Oblation landmark at the UP Manila School of Health Sciences campus in Barangay Carpenter Hill in Koronadal City that was funded by the local government. The provincial government funded the acquisition of a six-hectare lot for the university campus, which it helped establish two years ago. The governor said they are only waiting for the completion of the new PSHS campus’ development plan so they could begin with the construction works at the site. He said the project will cover several classroom buildings and the campus’ initial dormitory facilities. Pingoy said the DOST central office committed to finance the construction of the other required facilities of the new PSHS campus. He said PSHS system executive director Dr. Josette Biyo informed him recently that they would push through with the planned opening of the new unit by June next year. “The announcement for the application, screening and selection for its first batch of students will begin by October,” Pingoy said. The governor said the successful applicants will be receiving full scholarship grants from PSHS, including free dormitory or housing privileges. The DOST central office earlier approved the establishment of a PSHS campus in Koronadal City as part of its expansion program in Region 12. Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. The PSHS, which operates as an attached agency of the DOST, is a specialized public high school system that focuses on high quality science-based education and training. The PSHS system, which was initially patterned after the Bronx High School of Science in New York City, was established by the government “for the purpose of giving an education highly enriched in science and mathematics to exceptionally gifted Filipino children,” its website said. (Allen V. Estabillo/Mindanews)