VALENZUELA CITY, March 8, 2021 – Delivering to the learners’ and teachers’ need to provide conducive, inclusive, and resilient schools, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones spearheaded the Department of Education’s (DepEd) simultaneous inauguration of school buildings in Bulacan and Valenzuela.

“I promised our people that by the end of my term, we would have built conducive, inclusive, and resilient learning environments for our students. Sa awa po ng Diyos mukhang natupad ko man. Making quality education to all Filipinos is one of my administration’s top priorities in the development agenda,” President Duterte said.

The inauguration consists of 12 school buildings, seven in Bulacan and five in Valenzuela City.

General Gregorio H. Del Pilar Integrated School in Bulakan, Bulacan has two units of 4-storey with 28 classrooms and one 4-storey units with 12 classrooms. Virginia Ramirez-Cruz High School in Pandi, Bulacan received four units of 4-storey with 20 classrooms.

Meanwhile, Valenzuela City’s Lawang Bato National High School inaugurated 4-storey, 8-classroom; 4-storey, 20-classroom; and 4-storey, 16-classroom. Canumay East National High School had two units of 4-storey, 8-classroom.

President Duterte acknowledged the efforts of agencies concerned with this program and their commitment to promote the rights to quality and accessible education at all levels and encouraged learners to continue reaching their dreams.

“Let me recognize the important role of the Department of Education, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the local government in the successful planning and construction of these new school buildings. Your collective efforts in these projects have been crucial in creating a more conducive, inclusive, and resident learning environment for students,” President Duterte said.

“To our students, I hope that despite the challenges ahead, you will persevere and strive hard[er] to excel and reach your [full] potential. Together, let us pursue our shared aspirations for a stronger, brighter future of the Filipino people,” he ended.

Secretary Briones expressed her gratitude to the President for supporting the projects and plans of the Department.

“Alam naman ninyo ang kaniyang devotion sa education, napakalaki. Sinuportahan niya ang ating Alternative Learning Systems at saka lahat ng panibagong approaches, panibagong paraan para ipagpatuloy ang edukasyon. Walang proyekto, walang bagong paraan, o luma mang paraan na hindi sinusuporta ng president when education is concerned,” Secretary Briones said.

“We have COVID, we have a crisis, but life goes on. So you continue building your schools, you continue enrolling the children, continue teaching them even we are facing this very difficult challenge,” she added.

On the other hand, Undersecretary for Field Operations Revsee Escobedo said that the Department is doing its best to address the lack of classrooms and the need to rehabilitate old school buildings.

“’Yong ating paggawa, pagpapatayo ng mga buildings ay isa ito sa paraan natin para matiyak ‘yong access ng kabataan para sa dekalidad na edukasyon. Kaya tayo ay nagpo-propose sa kongreso na hangga’t maaari, kung kakayanin ng pamahalaan ,ay ma-address natin ‘yong lack of classrooms at higit pa riyan ay ma-repair o ma-rehabilitate natin ‘yong mga lumang buildings,” Usec. Revsee said.

The said ceremony was also attended by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Senator Bong Go, and DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Regional III Director May Eclar, NCR Director Malcolm Garma, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, and Valenzuela City Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian.

 

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