MARAWI CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways turned over three completed integrated school buildings to the Department of Education as part of this year's Marawi Week of Peace celebration.
OFFICIALS inaugurate a newly built integrated school building in Marawi City. (Bonita L. Ermac)
DPWH-10 focal person for Task Force Bangon Marawi Engr. Mikunug Macabantog said the three four-story school buildings were constructed and followed DepEd’s standard on classroom construction where each building consists of 20 classrooms.
The school building also includes other facilities such as a reservoir, water system, comfort rooms, lighting, and sprinklers that can be used for emergencies.
Each building costs P52 million.
The three buildings are part of the integrated school project under the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery program in which 10 school buildings will be constructed inside the most affected area.
The DPWH already turned over the first completed school building in March 2022 while the remaining six buildings are in various stages of construction.
Macabantog said their goal is to turn over the remaining buildings come this October, in time for the Marawi Liberation commemoration.
DPWH-10 Construction Division Chief Engr. Virgie Nayve promised that they would remain zealous in furthering development in the community for the betterment of the Filipino people.
She also assured that the unfinished school buildings would be completed in no time so that they would already be turned over and be used by the people in this city.
Lawyer Christian Rivero of DepEd said that the construction of the integrated school buildings here is a testament to the partnership of the department with other government agencies.
The project also manifested the courage, tenacity, and passion of the people to rebuild a better city and continue education, said Rivero.
City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto thanked the implementors who made the construction of the integrated school buildings possible. She assured that through this project, they will continue delivering quality education in their new school.
Meanwhile, Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra expressed elation with the inauguration of new school buildings, saying that good facilities and infrastructures are important in producing school outcomes.
This would encourage good attendance to students as they would be inspired to go to school. As more people in Marawi become educated, they will no longer have to turn to terrorism and other criminalities, said Majul.
Further, Gandamra said they are committed to pouring their full support for the operation of the integrated school buildings as soon as possible.
He is positive though that with the return of the IDPs to Ground Zero, this project would be able to fulfill its purpose.
The school buildings will be used as soon as the school fence is completed for the safety of everyone.
The activity is one of the highlights of Marawi Week of Peace opening which started May 17.