BORONGAN CITY– The Department of Public Works and Highways – Eastern Samar District Engineering Office (DPWH-ESDEO) with the Department of Education is set to implement 16 school building projects all over Eastern Samar this year.
In an interview during the PIA Eastern Samar’s Huruhimangraw ha Este radio program, Jayson Espeso, DPWH-ESDEO information officer, said the projects involve the construction of several one-storey two-classroom school building in the province.
The total budget for the projects amounts to P79.8 million under the DepEd Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF) for Fiscal Year 2024.
The schools benefiting from this budget allocation include Bulawan Elementary School in Maslog; Guiuan East Central Elementary School, Tubabao National High School, and National High School in Guiuan; Naparaan Elementary School and Tagbacan Elementary School in Salcedo; San Isidro Elementary School and Hilabaan National High School in Dolores; San Jose Elementary School in Mercedes; Tinago Elementary School in Quinapondan; Can-avid National High School in Can-avid; Eastern Samar Comprehensive National High School in Borongan City; Malinao Elementary School in Taft; Giporlos Central School in Giporlos; Llorente National High School- Barobo Extension in Llorente; and Maydolong Central Elementary School in Maydolong.
District Engineer Domcelio Natividad announced that the Notices of Award for the school building projects were already issued within May 2024.
Natividad added that the timing allows for the optimal implementation of the construction projects while the students are on vacation, minimizing disruption to their classes.
The district engineer also emphasized the importance of this period for contractors to expedite construction efforts.
“We urge contractors to take full advantage of the vacation period to ensure timely completion of these projects,” said Natividad.
In 2023, DPWH-ESDEO has also implemented 21 school building projects with a total appropriation of P152.898 million under DepEd BEFF FY 2023 funding.
The district engineer mentioned that out of the 21 projects, 20 school buildings have already been completed and turned over to the schools while the remaining project, located in San Isidro Primary School in Lawaan Eastern Samar, is nearly complete with an accomplishment of 95.07 percent.
Natividad assured that the district office is fully committed to fast-tracking the implementation of these projects.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that these school buildings are constructed efficiently and in accordance with DPWH standards specifications. Also, this initiative underscores the commitment of the DPWH to improve educational infrastructure, providing a better learning environment for students in the province,” the district engineer said.
(VEE TOLENTINO GUMBAN, PIA EASTERN SAMAR)
