Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan has officially inaugurated a new six-storey school building in Tondo, Manila, which features 44 air-conditioned classrooms.
This marks the sixth new school building constructed under her administration since she assumed the office in 2022. She emphasized that all of these developments were funded without the need for the city to secure any loans.
The newly inaugurated school building is set to benefit a total of 3,225 students, along with 115 faculty members and non-teaching personnel of the Emilio Jacinto Elementary School.
During the inauguration, Mayor Lacuna-Pangan highlighted the added comfort and safety provided by the air-conditioned classrooms.
"Dahil may aircon ang classrooms, safe mula sa matinding init ang mga estudyante at faculty. Bukod sa mga classrooms, may mga bukod na specialized rooms pa para sa pag-aaral ng Information and Communications Technology, Science, Technology and Livelihood Education at Home Economics (Because the classrooms have air conditioning, our students and faculty are safe from the intense heat. In addition to the classrooms, there are also specialized rooms for studying Information & Communications Technology, Science, Technology & Livelihood Education, and Home Economics)," she shared in her speech.
The mayor also emphasized that the construction of the school building was made possible through the city's Special Education Funds.
The total cost of the project was P458,116,746.
Covering a 2,864-square-meter lot, the school building is equipped with a variety of facilities designed to enhance both the learning and teaching experience.
The building also includes elevators, a library, a canteen, and a spacious air-conditioned social hall on the sixth floor.
The school also features restrooms and an open basketball court with bleacher seating for recreational activities.
Looking to the future, Mayor Lacuna-Pangan also shared plans to further improve the school's infrastructure.
"When stakeholder donors pitch in for the solar panels, classes will be uninterrupted even during power outages," she said, ensuring that learning will continue even during challenging circumstances.