He noted how the project demonstrates how the swift and efficient use of public funds can be used for infrastructure that directly benefits the people.
On Wednesday, June 10, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. personally inspected the newly-completed multi-storey buildings at San Francisco High School in Quezon City.
These buildings replaced the Dao Building inside the campus, which was razed by a fire ahead of the start of the school year in 2025 and was constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In his remarks, the Chief Executive said: “I’m very, very happy to have come here. I’m a little bit surprised, I must say. I do not think that maybe in the last 30 years that we have seen such a building,a four-story, 60-classroom building built in eight months.”
“Ngayon nakita ninyo almost one year ago na – one year ago nagkasunog dito at ininspeksyon natin after that, at nakita naman natin na talagang walang-wala na. Hindi na magamit. It was even on the verge of being condemned,” the President recalled the first time he saw the old school building after the fire.
During the inspection, President Marcos also witnessed the ceremonial turnover of the newly completed Henry Sy Sr. Hall, a four-story, 24-classroom building funded by SM Supermalls.
Also present on site were Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.
Marcos also said that the newly completed buildings are designed to withstand earthquakes and are equipped with fire safety features, including sprinkler systems, to ensure the safety and protection of students and teachers.
“At ito, may panibago, may sprinkler system na para hindi na magkasunog ulit. At inspeksyunin ninyo nang mabuti, baka sasabihin nila AI na naman ako nandito. Pero tingnan ninyo nang mabuti, makita ninyo gaano kaganda ang ating bagong classroom,” the President noted.
The President noted that the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts have helped address classroom shortages at the school, which serves around 6,800 learners and is among the largest public secondary schools in the country.
Originally designed as a two-story structure, the building was expanded into a four-storey facility with 60 classrooms to ease overcrowding, which allowed students and teachers to return to more regular schedules.
“Ang pinakamaganda rin dito ay ‘yung natapos itong construction na ito in eight months,” Marcos added. “At malaking bagay ito dahil nais kong ipakita na kapag ang pera ng gobyerno ay ginagamit sa tama, ito ‘yung kaya nating gawin. Kaya natin magtayo ng four storeys, 60 classrooms in eight months’ time.”
“Kaya naging mas maluwag ang schedule, naging mas maluwag ang physical location ng ating mga bata, which is conducive to better learning,” he also said.
President Marcos cited the project as proof of what government agencies can accomplish when resources are managed efficiently and directed toward public service.
“We’re working together. Makita naman talaga ninyo what it is that we can achieve as long as the money goes to the project, not into people’s pockets,” the President noted.
He added, “Basta’t pumasok sa proyekto nang tama, ay ganito ang ating nagagawa. Patuloy nating gagawin ‘yan at patuloy natin titiyakin na ang pondo ng pamahalaan ay napupunta sa mga proyektong kagaya nito.”
The President credited the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the local government for completing the project in just eight months—a timeline he described as remarkable.
For his part, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon highlighted the swift reconstruction within a strong period was due to Marcos’ directive to immediately restore the school’s facilities for the benefit of students and teachers.
The DPWH chief also commended the engineers and contractors, as well as underscored the importance of collaboration among government agencies, particularly the Department of Education (DepEd), in ensuring the project’s success.
He noted that, aside from the installation of sprinkler systems to help prevent future fires and the construction of earthquake-resistant structures, DepEd has already completed furnishing and equipping the classrooms.
In light of the project’s success, Dizon said he intends to use it as a model for future school rehabilitation and construction projects across the country.
“Gagawin ko nga dito, gagawa rin ako siguro ng competition sa mga regions at district, pabilisan, pagandahan,” he said. “Sabi ko sa mga engineer dito, ipo-promote ko para makita nila na gumagawa ka ng tama, di ka nagnanakaw, quality ang gawa mo, mabilis, meron kang reward.”
