The provincial government of Davao del Sur has officially handed over two new, fully-constructed covered spaces with integrated stages to elementary schools in the municipality of Sulop. This significant infrastructure project, valued at nearly ₱1.3 million per unit, is set to transform how the schools conduct their major events.
New Covered Spaces Enhance School Activities
Governor Yvonne Roña Cagas led the turnover ceremonies on November 18, 2025. The beneficiary institutions are Labon Elementary School and Tala-o Elementary School. These new structures are expected to significantly improve the schools' capacity to host a variety of important functions, including graduation ceremonies, school assemblies, parent-teacher meetings, and other academic gatherings, providing a dedicated and sheltered space for students and the community.
The event was attended by key local officials, demonstrating broad support for the initiative. They included Sulop Mayor Atty. Jose Jimmy Sagarino, and 2nd District Board Members Mark Joel Gallardo, Atty. Gladys Gascon, Kyra Valentin, Dyane Idulsa, and Atty. Carmelo delos Cientos III, who was represented by his son, Carmelo delos Cientos IV.
Scholarship Program Expands with 1,400 New Beneficiaries
In a parallel effort to support education, the provincial government held an acceptance and orientation ceremony for 1,400 new Capitol Scholars just a day earlier, on November 17. The event took place at the Provincial Coliseum. This scholarship initiative, a flagship program originally launched by the late Governor Dodo Cagas, has been sustained by his political heirs and is now actively continued by Governor Yvonne Cagas.
With this substantial new batch, the total number of scholars supported by the province has risen to 6,200 students. These scholars are enrolled in various tertiary institutions across Davao del Sur. Each scholar receives a financial subsidy of ₱8,000 per semester to assist with tuition fees. To ensure the program's continuity, the provincial government allocates a substantial ₱100 million annually from its budget.
A Dual-Pronged Commitment to Education
These recent developments underscore a comprehensive strategy by the Davao del Sur provincial government to invest in the future of its youth. The two projects—the construction of vital school infrastructure and the expansion of the financial scholarship program—work in tandem to address both the physical and financial barriers to quality education.
Funded through the Special Education Fund (SEF), the new covered courts with stages are a tangible improvement to public education infrastructure. Simultaneously, the Capitol Scholarship program directly eases the financial burden on families, enabling more young people to pursue higher education. Governor Cagas formally welcomed the new scholars, reinforcing the province's unwavering commitment to youth development and expanding access to educational opportunities.
