QC to inspect all public schools

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has ordered an inspection of all schools in the city, especially those located in flood-prone areas, to determine their structural integrity and stability after days of torrential rains that inundated most parts of Metro Manila.

He directed city engineer Joselito Cabungcal to conduct an assessment that includes the extent of damage to school properties in order for the city government to undertake remedial and retrofitting measures as soon as possible.

“The safety of our schoolchildren will continue to remain as the city’s primordial concern,” Bautista said.

In a report submitted to the city engineering department, city schools superintendent Corazon Rubio placed at P3.4 million the extent of damage brought about by last week’s heavy rains and floods to school properties.

San Bartolome Elementary School was the hardest hit, with floodwaters damaging four classrooms at the administration building as well as school fixtures and furniture.

The monsoon floods also damaged the SB and Mathay Halls of Carlos Albert High School in Barangay Santol. Engineer Segundo Escaro, in his report to Rubio, placed at P1.59 million the damage to school properties at Carlos Albert High School.

Rubio also noted damage to school properties at Masambong Elementary School, President Corazon C. Aquino Elementary School, Masambong High School, Sergio Osmeña Sr. High School, North Fairview High School, Doña Rosario High School, Sta. Lucia High School and Pugad Lawin High School.