MOGPOG, Marinduque (PIA) — A new single-storey school building, housing two classrooms in the municipality of Mogpog in Marinduque is ready to offer a safer and more conducive learning environment for students.
The good news came after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Marinduque District Engineering Office completed the construction of said building, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) Marinduque Division.
The 180.75-square meter facility was funded under the DepEd’s 2023 Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF), with a budget of ₱5.3 million.
Officials say the building replaces a previously flood-prone structure that was frequently damaged due to its location in a low-lying area and the effects of recent natural disasters.
District Engineer Richard Emmanuel P. Ragragio explained that the previous building suffered severe wear due to recurring floods and insufficient ventilation, exacerbated by an unusually low ceiling height.
“The old classrooms were not only vulnerable to flooding, but also lacked proper air circulation, making it an uncomfortable and unhealthy environment for learning, especially during extreme heat,” Ragragio said.
The new facility, constructed on elevated ground, is designed to be flood-resistant and to endure the country’s increasingly erratic weather patterns. With improved ceiling height and ventilation, the structure can now accommodate up to 40 students in a healthier and more comfortable setting.
The school officials lauded the development as a step toward modernizing the public school’s infrastructure, particularly in its underserved and disaster-prone area.
The classrooms are expected to serve not just as a safe space for students, but as a model for future school building projects in the MIMAROPA region. (DN/AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Marinduque)
