DESPITE the pandemic, the government still managed to restore the dilapidated Gabaldon Building in Pampanga which had already been scheduled for demolition.

San Miguel Elementary in San Simon, Pampanga was recently refurbished to preserve its heritage look per the signed Republic Act 11194.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11194 on January 2019, an act mandating the conservation of Gabaldon Buildings nationwide, providing penalties for violations, and appropriating funds therefore.

Under the law, all Gabaldon school buildings “shall be recognized as built heritage and therefore be included as part of cultural properties under Republic Act No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heriotage Act of 2009”.

Also, the Department of Education, with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and the National Museum, shall implement a program for the identification and conservation of all Gabaldon school buildings nationwide.

Gabaldon buildings or heritage schools in the Philippines were built from 1907 to 1946.These were designed by American architect William Parsons and authored by Isauro Gabaldon.

The restoration of numerous Gabaldon schools all over the Philippines had been suspended due to the pandemic.