BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday visited San Francisco High School (SFHS) in Quezon City, where he led government and community efforts to support the school’s swift recovery after a fire damaged one of its major buildings just days before the opening of School Year 2025–2026.

President Marcos commended the rapid coordination between DepEd, the local government, and private sector donors, emphasizing the importance of sustaining education even in times of crisis.

“I have already instructed [DPWH] na tingnan nila and how soon we can rebuild it. We will continue to make sure that the children are able to attend class, teachers have what they want. Yung mga nasirang gamit, we will replace it,” the President said.

Aligned with the directive of the President, DepEd, led by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, is mobilizing the recovery efforts to fully restore affected facilities and ensure a safe and stable learning environment for all SFHS students.

“Hindi po biro ang mawalan ng silid-aralan ilang araw bago ang pasukan, pero ramdam ng mga guro at magulang na hindi sila nag-iisa. The President’s hands-on approach reminds us that recovery is faster when national leadership listens, acts, and stands with our schools,” Secretary Sonny Angara said.

Even before the site visit, private and public partners had already stepped in. SC Johnson delivered 140 armchairs, as part of its 400-chair commitment, while the San Francisco High School Alumni Association and Barangay Sto. Cristo provided paint, toilet fixtures, and manpower.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City local government, through its Sanitation and Engineering Offices, deployed personnel and supplies, while nearby public schools shared surplus furniture. The DepEd Schools Division Office of Quezon City also released ₱100,000 in immediate aid. Additional support is being coordinated with the Philippine Statistics Authority and the SM Foundation.

The fire broke out at 10:45 AM on June 15 and destroyed the school’s Dao Building, an Imelda- type structure built in 1985. Ten classrooms—eight academic and two non-academic—were lost, affecting around 720 junior high school students and resulting in an estimated ₱3 million in damages. Among those destroyed were armchairs, teacher desks, fans, lighting fixtures, computer sets, and approximately 150 bundles of learning materials.

Despite the damage, DepEd has assured the public that classes will proceed as scheduled. Affected students have been relocated to DepEd Building A, which has 12 classrooms temporarily vacated by the Schools Division Office.

Learning materials will be replaced, while partners and local donors will provide support to replace damaged furniture, teaching equipment, and classroom ventilation

“Lubos din po ang pasasalamat namin sa lahat ng tumulong mula sa pribadong sektor, lokal na pamahalaan, alumni, at mga kalapit na paaralan. Sa gitna ng sunog, ang maaaring maging malaking abala ay naging kwento ng bayanihan,” Angara said.

The Department of Education has also recommended the construction of a new four-storey, 20-classroom building to replace the damaged Dao Building and address the school’s existing classroom shortage.

With more than 7,300 enrolled students and nearly 330 teaching and non-teaching personnel, San Francisco High School is one of Quezon City’s largest public high schools.

*All Photos from DepEd