Immediate reconstruction of the razed building of Laurencio Fianza National High School (LFNHS) – Bantic Annex will be prioritized, according to Benguet caretaker Eric Go Yap.
In an initial report from Benguet Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), two school buildings of the LFNHS-Bantic Annex in Dalupirip, Itogon burned Sunday morning.
“Nung nakita ko yung pictures na nasusunog yung school buildings ng Laurencio FNHS Bantic Annex, nadurog yung puso ko. I don’t know what happened yet but we will definitely do something. Hindi natin pwedeng hayaan na basta na lang mawalan ng school building dun,” Yap said.
Based on the Benguet PDRRMC report, the fire started in the main building of the school believed to have been caused by faulty wiring.
” It is one of the most isolated schools in Itogon and it is a symbol of hope in these remote areas. We cannot let the community down,” Yap said.
The solon added he has already spoken to Department of Education (DepEd) Usec Alain Del Pascua to check on the availability of funds this year for its immediate rehabilitation and construction.
“Pero kung wala, definitely it will be in the 2022 budget,” Yap assured.
“A new school building will rise in Laurencio FNHS Bantic Annex. As soon as face-to-face classes resume, the new building will welcome the students back. We will build back better. Hindi natin sila hahayaan na mawalan ng mga classrooms,” Yap quipped.
Congressman Yap timely responded to the clamor of concerned residents in the area for the immediate rebuilding of the burned school to ensure that enrolled students will not be unnecessarily displaced from attending their classes once face-to-face classes is allowed by the inter-agency task force for the management of emerging infectious diseases to resume when the prevailing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases will be controlled.
He re-assured the concerned residents that he will do his best to ensure that the burned school building will be restored even if this is located in a remote area in nearby Itogon town because what matters is that students should not be displaced from their studies due to the unfortunate incident. By HENT
