MERCEDES, Eastern Samar (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways-Eastern Samar District Engineering Office (DPWH-ESDEO) has finished building a solar-powered two-classroom school building in Mercedes, Eastern Samar replacing the old structure that was damaged by typhoons Odette (international name: Rai) and Ruby (international name: Hagupit).

Nica Kaye Palcea, a school teacher at Busay Elementary School, said the whole community is thankful to the government for providing the learners with a conducive learning environment.

"Daku nga bulig hiya kay bisan kun nagflaflag raising kami nga mauran pwede kami dinhi hit hallway, nagagamitan namon ngan hin an kabataan komportable. Amon talaga gindadasig ini nga amon classroom kay labot la nga well-ventilated hiya, pwede gud hiya magamit bisan waray kuryente kay powered hiya hit solar,” Palcea added. 

(It's a big help because even when it rains during flag-raising, we can stay here in the hallway, which we find comfortable for our pupils. We take pride in this new classroom because aside from being well-ventilated, it can also be used even without electricity since it's solar-powered.) 

Palcea also shared that the new building has provided big relief for them after enduring several years of classroom congestion and leaking roofs.

"Han waray pa hini nga project, lacking talaga kami han classroom kay labot la nga multi-grade kami an amon dati nga classroom naruba han mga nakalabay nga bagyo. So nag-iniha anay nga nag-antos kami didto, nauuranan kami, naghuhulos an amon mga modules ngan amon mga gamit. So, burden talaga hiya ha amon part,” Palcea said. 

(Due to typhoons, our previous classroom deteriorated, leaving us with insufficient classrooms for our multi-grade students. We have been sacrificing for a long time, especially during rainy seasons; we have to endure getting wet as well as risking damage to our modules and other belongings. So it was really a burden on our part.)

District Engineer Domcelio Natividad said the classrooms have a significant impact on the community, not just in terms of education but also in promoting awareness and responsibility towards the environment.

“We have always believed that every child deserves access to quality education. One of the unique features of these classrooms is that they are solar-powered. This not only makes them eco-friendly, but it also provides a sustainable source of energy for the students and teachers to use,” Natividad said.

The district engineer added that the construction of the new school building is a testament to the government's commitment to providing quality education for all, especially those who are most in need. 

“With the completion of this project, the students of Busay, Mercedes can now have access to better educational facilities, which will undoubtedly help them progress towards a brighter future,” Natividad added.

According to DPWH-ESDEO information officer Jason Espeso, the school building was constructed based on the Modified Standard DPWH-Deped one-storey, two-classroom school building design, which features a handwashing area, a PWD ramp with handrails, comfort room in each classroom, a water tank, and a solar panel with an inverter and battery.

Espeso further shared that there are five school building projects from FY 2022 and FY 2023. He also said that the idea of including a solar panel in a school building project depends on its location, particularly in areas with unstable electricity.

Funded by the Department of Education's Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF) 2022, the project is part of the government's efforts to provide better educational facilities for students in the country, especially those in areas affected by natural calamities. (VTG, PIA E. Samar)