By Lizbeth Ann Abella/Philippine News Agency

CARIGARA, Leyte — The Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) engineering office in Leyte’s second district has built 17 school buildings for basic education learners in time for the opening of the new academic year next month.
Completed school building projects are in the campuses of the Pinamopoan Senior High School (SHS), Mariano National High School (NHS), and Asuncion Melgar NHS in Capoocan town; Patoc NHS in Dagami; Barugo Central School I and Barugo NHS in Barugo, Leyte; and Agapito Amado NHS in Jaro, Leyte.
Other recipients are the Manaybanay NHS in Pastrana; Burauen Comprehensive National High School and Hibunauan NHS in Burauen; Jugaban NHS in Carigara, Leyte; Sta. Isabel Elementary School in Macarthur; Mayorga NHS in Mayorga; Dulag Central School in Dulag town; and Julita SHS in Julita town.
“These classrooms are equipped with toilets and emergency exit stairs for safety and security of the students and faculty members,” 2nd district engineering office chief, Gerald Pacanan, said on Friday. “Through this project, the government will be able to address the need for more classrooms.”
These two-storey buildings, designed to withstand strong typhoons and earthquakes, were funded under the PHP371.39-million Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF) by the Department of Education.
The BEFF is an annual budget of the department for its School Building Program, which covers the improvement and maintenance of school facilities.
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