To address the growing educational needs of students, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Mindoro Oriental District Engineering Office has successfully completed the construction of a 2-storey, 4-classroom school building at Community Vocational High School in Barangay Bayanan 2, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.
The project forms part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration’s commitment to prioritize classroom construction under the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Basic Education Facilities (BEF) program.
Community Vocational High School teacher Harold James Tobias recalled the struggles students previously faced due to limited learning spaces. Some vocational classes had to share crowded regular classrooms, resulting in discomfort for both teachers and learners.
“Dati po ang ilan pong vocational classes po ay nakikisiksik lang sa mga regular classroom dahil na rin sa kakulangan ng classroom dito. Compare ngayon na mayroon na po kaming bagong building, mas malaki pong ginhawa ang ibinigay nito sa amin dahil may mas maluwag na classroom at shop room kung saan ang mga bata po ay mas maluwag na nakakagalaw, hindi tulad dati na siksikan, pawisan at mainit. Kami po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa DepEd at sa DPWH sa pagkakaloob sa amin ng gusaling ito,” Tobias said.
In his report to DPWH MIMAROPA Regional Director Gerald A. Pacanan, CESO III, Mindoro Oriental District Engineer Salvador E. Abad detailed that the school building has a 23.00m x 9.50m structure with four classrooms. It also includes a 1.20-meter embankment to elevate the building, ensuring improved drainage and protection from potential flooding.
The new facility has significantly reduced overcrowding, creating a more comfortable and conducive environment for students. It also strengthens the school’s vocational education program, offering students more opportunities to acquire practical skills essential for their future careers.
With this development, the DPWH underscores its vital role in supporting the education sector by providing safe, resilient, and accessible infrastructure that contributes to better learning outcomes.
