Elementary school in Leyte shut down by claimants of land

TACLOBAN CITY – The Maghubas Elementary School in Barangay Maghubas, Burauen, Leyte was locked, chained, and a "No Trespassing" sign was placed by claimants of the land where it was built on Wednesday, Sept. 7.

Over 150 pupils and their teachers were banned from entering the school by the claimants, causing traffic and congestion of people outside the gate.

The Department of Education (DepEd)-Schools Division of Leyte expressed dismay over the incident.

"Upon learning the incident, the division quickly informed the chief of the PNP in Burauen, while the District Supervisor immediately coordinated with the Local Government Unit officials to help address the issue," DepEd said in a statement.

The school was able to resume classes within the day.

Schools District Supervisor (SDS) Manuel Albaño, who personally inspected the school as soon as he could, instructed the school head to submit a complete incident report and requested the division legal officer to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident.

The school was allegedly locked by the heir of the donor of the land which was reportedly donated in the 1960s to the local government of Burauen. The property was later designated as the school site for the barangay.

DepEd-Leyte has assured the public that this incident will not happen again, and should it recur, it will be immediately addressed.

However, on Thursday, Sept. 8, the school was again padlocked for unknown reasons, halting classes. DepEd has yet to issue another statement on the matter.