TACLOBAN CITY – The Atty. Roque A. Marcos Memorial School (ARAMMS) in La Paz, Leyte, now has a modern, one-storey building with four spacious classrooms to provide students with a conducive learning environment.
The newly completed facility, built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO), addresses the longstanding classroom shortages at ARAMMS, which serves over 2,000 learners from Grades 7 to 12.
Each classroom measures 9 by 7 meters and is equipped with essential amenities, including blackboards, electric fans, lighting fixtures, wash areas, restrooms, and ramps for persons with disabilities (PWDs). These features aim to create a comfortable, safe, and inclusive environment for both students and teachers.
District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura highlighted the significance of the project, saying, “The new classrooms at ARAMMS will provide much-needed space for students and help support the school’s mission of delivering quality education. These facilities ensure that students have access to the necessary resources for their holistic development.”
Lodigario Dianito Jr., Teacher III at ARAMMS, expressed relief over the completion of the project, noting how it addressed several challenges faced by the school. Previously, students were crowded into small classrooms, with some rooms prone to flooding and uneven flooring.
“When it rains, water floods inside the rooms. Additionally, one room has uneven flooring, making it unsafe for classes. Now, Grade 8 students will be using the new building, which allows us to resume previously dissolved classes and accommodate more learners comfortably,” Dianito shared.
Dianito also acknowledged the impact of the additional classrooms on the school’s operations and student morale.
“On behalf of our 86 personnel and more than 2,000 learners, we are deeply grateful for these new classrooms. The modern and conducive learning spaces will motivate students to attend school regularly while alleviating the challenges of classroom shortages,” he added.
The P10.9 million project, funded under the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF) for FY 2023, was completed on September 28, 2024.The construction adhered to DPWH and DepEd standards for quality and safety, ensuring durability and accessibility.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
