BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

In line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s commitment to improving education infrastructure, Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the inauguration on Monday of a new 24-classroom building at the Senate President Neptali A. Gonzales Integrated School (SPNAGIS) in Mandaluyong City.

Established through Republic Act No. 11305, SPNAGIS now has 96 classrooms, including 21 specialized laboratory rooms and offices, strengthening access to quality learning spaces for students.

“Ito ang kauna-unahang eskwelahan na napuntahan namin sa buong kapuluan, sa buong Pilipinas, na may surplus. Bihirang-bihira po ito. Palagay ko, one-of-a-kind ito—mayroon nang nakahandang 24 silid-aralan para sa inyo,” Secretary Angara said.

Recognizing the urgent need to address the backlog of over 165,000 classrooms nationwide, Secretary Angara emphasized the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in fast-tracking school infrastructure projects of the Marcos Jr. administration.

Under this initiative, DepEd is pushing for the construction of 15,000 classrooms by 2027 under a PPP scheme, with plans to scale up the program in the coming years, particularly in high-growth and underserved areas.

The SPNAGIS inaguration is part of the scheduled activities leading up to Mandaluyong City’s 80th Liberation Anniversary and 31st Cityhood Anniversary on February 9.

Sec. Angara was joined by Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin “Ben” Abalos, Vice Mayor Antonio “Anthony” delos Santos Suva Jr., Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Medina Gonzales II, and key DepEd officials, including Usec. Filemon Rey Javier, Usec. Peter Irving Corvera, Usec. Trygve L. Olaivar, DepEd NCR Assistant Regional Director Cristito Eco, DepEd Mandaluyong SDS Romella Cruz, and SPNAGIS Principal Ramilo Pascual.

Angara also commended the Schools Division Office – City of Mandaluyong for its outstanding performance, ranking first nationwide among 228 school division offices in the 2022-2023 National Achievement Test.

“I congratulate all of you. This is the result of your hard work—your sacrifices, the late nights, the early mornings, and the many meetings you held. Maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyo. I am honored to witness this and to be part of your success,” Angara said.

*All Photos from DepEd