Viral photos of unfinished school building in Silang 'very concerning,' DepEd says
The Department of Education (DepEd) expressed concern about the viral photos of an unfinished school building in Silang, Cavite, and assured that it is coordinating with the local government to address the problem.

“Of course we are very concerned with the students or the learners and that’s why the DepEd is coordinating with the LGU and new mayor what we can do,” DepEd Spokesman Michael Poa said in a mix of English and Filipino during a presser on Friday, Oct. 7.
In a Facebook post on Oct. 5, Silang Mayor ">Kevin Amutan Anarna uploaded photos taken at the Lucsuhin Elementary School where students are seen using umbrellas inside a roofless classroom to take shelter from the rain.
Anarna said that some students became sick and were not able to attend classes after being exposed to these unfavorable learning conditions. He noted that even students with special needs had to use the school canteen as a classroom because the SpED building was also not completed.
“We must stop electing corrupt politicians so this will never happen again,” Anarna said, referring to the unfinished three-story building worth P37 million.

Poa said that DepED is already coordinating with the LGU since the school was constructed by the local government and not by DepED.
DepEd, he explained, is in talks with the LGU on which available facilities can be used as temporary learning spaces (TLS) for the affected students.
“We are coordinating with the LGU for the use of covered courts and other rooms that are safe for use of our learners,” Po said.
Poa noted that while the problem was “something within the LGU,” the photos are still “very concerning” for DepEd.
Meanwhile, Poa explained that DepED is currently conducting a mapping of schools and facilities nationwide that need repairs or construction. Part of the mapping, he said, is finding out if there are other school buildings constructed by LGUs that have pending issues.
“We are really looking into the quality of the constructed school buildings specifically the make these disaster-resilient,” Poa said, noting the efforts initiated by DepED when it comes to the construction of school buildings.
“We continue to coordinate with LGUs to ensure that there are safe spaces for learners,” he added.