Local Government Unit (LGU) of Carigara has redirected funds originally intended for official travel and seminars to a project that directly benefits students. Under the leadership of Mayor Eduardo “Ed” Ong Jr., the municipality donated 32 air coolers to Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU)-Carigara Campus, providing students and teachers with a cooler, more comfortable learning environment amid rising temperatures. The initiative underscores the local government’s belief that investing in students’ well-being is an investment in better education, proving that thoughtful budget priorities can create lasting improvements in both teaching and learning.
CARIGARA, Leyte — In a move that puts students’ welfare ahead of government perks, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Carigara, under the leadership of Mayor Eduardo “Ed” Ong Jr., redirected funds that could have been spent on official travel and seminars to provide a more comfortable learning environment for students. The municipality donated 32 air coolers to Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU)-Carigara Campus, demonstrating that investments in education can take many forms beyond classrooms and textbooks.
The donation, formally turned over on June 23, 2026, is expected to significantly improve classroom conditions, particularly during periods of extreme heat that have increasingly affected schools across the country.
For many students, learning in overcrowded and poorly ventilated classrooms has become an everyday challenge. High temperatures often lead to discomfort, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating conditions that can negatively affect academic performance. Recognizing this reality, the Carigara LGU chose to prioritize a project with an immediate and lasting impact on students and teachers.
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“Instead of spending more on travel and seminars, we redirected the budget to bring air coolers into every classroom,” the initiative emphasized, reflecting the local government’s commitment to practical and people-centered governance.
The donation covers 32 air coolers that will be installed in classrooms across the EVSU-Carigara Campus, providing students and faculty with a cooler and more conducive environment for teaching and learning.
According to the university administration, the air coolers were provided in response to the growing need for improved classroom conditions as soaring temperatures continue to challenge educational institutions. The project aims not only to enhance comfort but also to help students remain attentive and productive throughout their classes.
Campus Director Dr. Renato Martija expressed his gratitude to Mayor Eduardo Ong Jr. and the entire Local Government Unit of Carigara for their support of the university.
He said the partnership reflects the strengthening relationship between the local government and the academic institution, with both sharing the common goal of promoting quality education and improving the overall learning experience for students.
“This collaboration demonstrates what can be achieved when local government and educational institutions work hand in hand for the benefit of learners,” Martija said.
The university believes the improved classroom environment will encourage better concentration, reduce heat-related distractions, and contribute to more effective teaching and learning.
Education experts have long pointed out that classroom conditions play a crucial role in student performance. Studies show that excessive indoor heat can reduce attention spans, increase fatigue, and affect memory retention. By improving the physical learning environment, schools can create conditions where students are better equipped to absorb lessons and participate actively in class.
The initiative also highlights a broader approach to public service one that prioritizes projects directly benefiting citizens. Rather than allocating additional resources to official travel and seminars, the Carigara LGU chose an investment that students and teachers will experience every day inside their classrooms.
The donation serves as a reminder that meaningful governance is not always measured by the size of infrastructure projects but by decisions that improve people’s daily lives. In this case, a cooler classroom represents more than comfort it represents a commitment to education, student welfare, and responsible public spending.
As EVSU-Carigara prepares for another academic year, students can now look forward to classrooms that are not only cooler but also more conducive to learning. For the local government, the project stands as an example of how thoughtful budget priorities can produce tangible benefits for the community.
With 32 new air coolers now in place, Carigara has shown that when education is placed at the center of governance, even simple investments can make a lasting difference because cooler classrooms help create clearer minds, better learning, and brighter futures.