For students in Barangay San Pedro, finding a quiet and affordable place to study used to mean renting time in private hubs.
Many endured cramped corners, long hours, and added costs just to finish assignments or prepare for exams.
For Jessa Mae Rivera, the dream of a community study lounge began in those days, when she and her peers often paid ₱15 to ₱25 an hour just to use private study hubs.
“Madalas kaming nasa study hub noong nag-aaral pa kami—nagbabayad ng 15-25 pesos kada oras dahil mahirap mag-aral sa bahay—maingay, mainit. At ang bigat din dahil hindi naman sapat ang isang oras,” said Rivera, now 24 and the chairperson of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Barangay San Pedro.
Last August 31, during the celebration of Linggo ng Kabataan, that dream became a reality with the launch of the Community Study Lounge in Zone 2, Purok Abanico, near Marbella Residences.
The facility provides students and workers with free Wi-Fi access, printing, photocopying, lamination, and ring binding services.
It was developed in partnership between the barangay council led by Captain Francisco Gabuco and the SK, with the goal of giving residents a place where they can focus on study or remote work without worrying about costs.
Rivera said the initiative was also their way of maximizing what was already available to the community.
The barangay had an existing building, and instead of letting it go unused, they decided to transform it into something that would directly support young people’s needs.
“Noong February 2024 namin hiningi ang 2nd floor through a resolution. Dumaan ito sa POW, bidding, at renovation, at nitong July lang natapos. Kaya umabot din ng halos 1 year and 7 months bago naipatupad ang proyekto,” she said.
Rivera said they spent ₱300,000 to furnish the facility, purchasing tables, chairs, computers, and air-conditioning units.
The budget came from their development fund, while the barangay shouldered the renovation expenses.
The building itself had earlier been funded by the Office of the 3rd District through Congressman Gil Acosta Jr.
For Rivera, the investment reflects a deliberate choice to move beyond the usual image of SK projects centered on sports tournaments.
“It’s our way of showing that SK projects can be holistic—addressing not only the physical aspect of youth development but also their intellectual and personal growth,” she said.
The study lounge has already started serving its purpose. Students said the free Wi-Fi and printing services make schoolwork easier, while workers noted that it also benefits those with remote jobs.
Rivera, who graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Public Administration from Palawan State University, believes initiatives like this can help restore young people’s trust in governance.
Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, the lounge is available to San Pedro residents who can present proof of residency. It is closed on Sundays.
