The groundbreaking ceremony for the country’s first-ever 12-story academic public school building marks a historic milestone for Cebu City and a lasting legacy for all Cebuanos.
Held on January 30 at Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School (DVRMHS) in Barangay Basak San Nicolas, the event celebrated a significant step forward in addressing classroom shortages and improving education infrastructure in the region.
A Monumental Achievement for Cebu
“Garbo kaayo ni nato nga mga Sugbuanon nga ang labing unang medium-rise public school building, 12-story with elevator ni ha, sa tibuok Pilipinas, gisugaan og tukod dinhi sa Sugbo (We Cebuanos take great pride that the first medium-rise public school building – a 12-story structure with elevators – in the entire Philippines will be built here in Cebu),” declared Congressman Eduardo Rama Jr.
Designed to accommodate the growing student population, the medium-rise school building will feature 42 classrooms and nine workshop rooms tailored for junior and senior high school students in the Cebu City South District.
Enhancing Learning Opportunities
“We are grateful to our National Government, under the leadership of President Marcos, that the first-ever Medium-Rise School Building will soon rise at Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School to address classroom shortages and enhance learning opportunities for our students,” Congressman Rama added.
According to the Department of Education (DepEd), the new facility will cater to approximately 1,900 to 2,000 learners utilizing the classrooms in a single shift, while an additional 450 students will benefit from the laboratories and workshop rooms during one-hour science classes.
Government Support and Commitment
The ceremony was led by DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
“We are deeply grateful to Secretary Angara and Secretary Bonoan for coming to Cebu City to lead the groundbreaking ceremony. We are grateful to the national government for its commitment to improving the quality of education for our learners and the strides they’ve taken in addressing classroom congestion and shortages,” Congressman Rama expressed.
Prior to selecting DVRMHS for this historic project, Congressman Rama’s office initially endorsed several schools for consideration, including Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorial National High School in Barangay Labangon, Tisa II Elementary School in Barangay Tisa, and San Nicolas Elementary School in Barangay Duljo-Fatima. Following a series of inspections last year, DepEd and DPWH determined that DVRMHS met the necessary criteria for the medium-rise academic school building.
A Vision for the Future
With a current student population of 4,490, DVRMHS serves learners from Basak San Nicolas, Basak Pardo, and Quiot Pardo, as well as students from neighboring barangays such as Poblacion Pardo, Bulacao Pardo, Kinasangan, Punta Princesa, and Mambaling. The new building is expected to significantly ease congestion and provide a more conducive learning environment.
Construction is scheduled to begin in March and will continue until December, with 24-hour shifts ensuring the timely completion of the project.
“This will definitely address classroom shortages and hopefully end the need for classroom shifting that our students currently experience. We want our students to learn in the best possible environment, which is one of this administration’s main objectives for education,” Congressman Rama emphasized.
Addressing Classroom Shortage
DepEd data reveals that Central Visayas ranks among the regions with the highest classroom shortages in the country. This initiative is a crucial step in alleviating that issue.
The 12-story building will be constructed on the site of the current hearing-impaired building and a one-story, two-classroom structure within DVRMHS’s 14,447-square-meter campus area. Once completed, this landmark project will set a precedent for future school infrastructure developments across the nation.
This groundbreaking initiative not only cements Cebu’s place in history but also paves the way for a brighter future for its students. As the city continues to grow, investing in education remains a top priority, ensuring that every learner has access to quality education in a modern, well-equipped environment.
