CABANATUAN CITY (PIA) — Students at Calagundian Elementary School (CES) in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, can now study in a safer environment as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed a 437-square meter, two-storey, four-classroom building in the school.
DPWH Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineer Robert Jay Panaligan said the school frequently experienced flooding, even during moderate rainfall, which disrupted classes and damaged students’ learning materials.
“To address this, we constructed the new building on an elevated foundation, raising it by one meter to prevent flood water from affecting classrooms and to ensure a safer, more resilient learning space,” Panaligan explained.
OIC-Assistant District Engineer Leonora Cruz emphasized the significance of the project, stressing that a conducive learning environment is essential for quality education. She added that this initiative helps provide stability for CES students.
Meanwhile, School Head Gerleeh Sacdal expressed gratitude for the new facility. She noted that the classrooms, fitted with blackboards, ceiling fans, and essential safety features such as a fire exit and fire safety equipment, offer a comfortable and secure space for students, allowing them to focus on their studies.
The P14.7-million project, funded through the Department of Education’s Basic Educational Facilities Fund, strengthens the school’s capacity to provide quality education in a safe environment. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
