DepEd: Build climate-resilient school buildings

MANILA, Philippines - The importance of putting up safe and climate-resilient school buildings was emphasized during the turnover of three new classrooms in Taguig City on Wednesday.

In a speech, Education Secretary Armin Luistro cited President Aquino’s instruction that schools buildings and classrooms should be category A, earthquake resistance and can withstand strong winds.

“The President said we should not merely build classrooms, but we have to ensure that these are strong and can withstand earthquakes and a 250-kilometer per hour wind velocity,” Luistro said during the turnover of classrooms built by the PhilAm Foundation at the Taguig National High School.

Luistro urged educators to teach their students the importance of having a safe learning environment.

“Students should understand the investment that PhilAm and our other education partners poured in to ensure their safety,” he said.

The construction of the new classrooms was made possible through a partnership with PhilAm Foundation’s PhilAm Paaralan Project.

Luistro commended DepEd’s education partners for helping the government address the needs of Filipino students.

“Aside from the three classrooms, PhilAm is also helping us build classrooms in typhoon-devastated  areas. As we hold the turnover today, 37 more classrooms are simultaneously opened in various areas in the Visayas,” he said.

The PhilAm Paaralan Project has constructed 20 classrooms in Isabela, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City, Batangas, Agusan del Sur and Compostella Valley.

Through the partnership, PhilAm Foundation is building more classrooms in areas affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda and the recent earthquake which affected Bohol, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Aklan, Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental.

The newly built classrooms in Taguig have complete facilities such as electric fans, light fixtures and chairs.

Luistro also urged the students to study well so the investments in education could be passed on to the next generation.

In line with the observance of National Nutrition Month, Luistro is urging schools to lead the community in the “Gulayan sa Paaralan,” a program that aims to address malnutrition and promote vegetable production and consumption among school children.

He said schools could help communities produce vegetables for their own consumption.