By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday inspected the fire-damaged San Francisco High School in Quezon City and pledged that the construction of a new building will be completed in time for the next academic year.
Marcos Jr. said the new facility will have 36 classrooms, tripling the original 12-classroom plan, to address overcrowding and improve learning conditions.
“Kung maalala ninyo, ito ‘yung nasunog at kailangan nating baguhin. Ngunit ang itatayo natin na bagong school building dito, instead of 12 classrooms, magiging 36 classrooms,” Marcos said.
He added that SM Foundation has committed to building an additional 24 classrooms, further augmenting the school’s capacity.
Marcos expressed optimism that the project will be completed on schedule, allowing students to use the new facilities by the academic year 2026-2027.
Construction will be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
San Francisco High School serves nearly 6,900 learners and has more than 300 personnel. Prior to the fire, the school had 211 classrooms with a classroom-to-learner ratio of 1:38.
The fire broke out on June 15, 2025, severely damaging an old two-storey, 10-classroom building and rendering it completely unusable.
Following a site visit by Marcos and Education Secretary Sonny Angara three days later, demolition was completed in August and construction formally started in September under DPWH supervision.
YAKAP caravan
Meanwhile, government services were delivered on-site through the Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) caravan, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) expanded Konsulta (consultation) program aimed at safeguarding the health of students and teachers as a foundation of quality education.
Around 200 teachers and students received health services provided by the Quezon City Health Office.
The offered services included vision screening, laboratory tests using the “Lab for All” mobile medical van, doctors’ consultations, free medicines and PhilHealth registration.
Marcos Jr. said the school rehabilitation and the health caravan reflect close cooperation among the national government, the local government and private sector partners.
“It is a cooperative effort between the local government and the national government. It seems to be working well,” he said.
