The local government of Manila inaugurated the newly constructed 10-story building in Manila Science High School (MSHS) in Malate, Manila on Thursday, Dec. 14.
The new building consists of a total of 158 classrooms, 16 offices, a library, a canteen, a basketball gym, a roof deck for outdoor sports, five elevators, and an auditorium.
The mayor said during the inauguration that the auditorium would be named after the father of former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno as a tribute.
The auditorium will be called “Joaquin Domagoso Auditorium," which put Moreno in tears as he joined the mayor together with Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto and Congressman Irwin Tieng in the program.
Lacuna-Pangan recalled that the concept of the said new building came about when Moreno was the mayor and she was his vice mayor.
"Marapat lamang na isang bahagi ng paaralang ito ay ialay natin sa kanyang ama na si Joaquin Domagoso... para sa iyo 'to, yorme (It is right that we dedicate a part of this school to his father, Joaquin Domagoso... this is for you, yorme)," she said.
Moreno cited the lady mayor for her efforts and efficiency in the project for the sake of providing a quality education.
Meanwhile, the mayor urged students, parents, and school authorities to maintain the school's “world-class status."
As a product of a private school herself, she mentioned that the MSHS is the same as the standard in private schools.
“Nais natin na lahat ng pampublikong paaralan ay maisaayos, nang di tayo naiinggit sa pribado (We want all public schools to be orderly, so we don't get jealous of those enrolled in private ones),” she said.
The mayor promised that the city government would do everything to provide students with a quality education.
"Sa mga ngangangarap ng dekalidad na edukasyon, magtungo kayo sa Maynila. Sigurado po kami na dekalidad ang matatanggap ninyong edukasyon dito...isa itong maagang Pamasko para sa inyong lahat (To those who dream of quality education, go to Manila. We are sure that you will receive quality education here. This is an early Christmas for all of you),” she added.
She also said that she had already asked for help from Cong. Tieng, for more facilities to build as the school falls under his district.
The mayor also called for all concerned to work hand-in-hand with the city government to sustain a tradition of excellence in education.