PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over the swift construction of two new school buildings in Quezon City and vowed to build more classrooms nationwide to provide learners with a more conducive learning environment.

Marcos made the commitment during his inspection of the newly completed school buildings at San Francisco High School in Quezon City.

He attributed the project’s early completion to his administration’s commitment to ensuring the transparent and prudent use of funds allocated for the construction of new classrooms.

Marcos noted that the new learning facilities, including a four-story, 60-classroom building, were completed in just eight months.

“From 10 classrooms, we now have 60. Times six. Meron na tayong 60 classrooms kaya mas naging maluwag ang schedule, mas naging maluwag ang physical location ng mga bata, which is conducive to better learning,” he said after the inspection.

“So, I’m very, very happy to come here. I’m a little bit surprised, I must say. I do not think that maybe in the last 30 years, that we have seen such a building, a four-story 60-classroom building built in eight months, and which we’re all very happy about that we’re all very proud, and it should demonstrate very clearly what can be achieved when something is used properly,” Marcos added.

One of the new school buildings was constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), while the other was funded by SM Supermalls.

Marcos thanked the DPWH, the Department of Education, the Quezon City government, and the private sector partners for helping ensure the project’s swift completion.

“We’re working together. Makita naman talaga ninyo (You can really see) what it is that we can achieve as long as the money goes to the project, not into people’s pockets,” he said.

“Basta’t pumasok sa proyekto ng tama ay ganito ang ating nagagawa. Patuloy nating gagawin iyan at patuloy nating titiyakin na ang pondo ng pamahalaan ay napupunta sa mga proyektong ganito (As long as the funds are properly spent on the project, this is what we can achieve. We will continue doing this and ensure that government funds are used for projects like these),” Marcos added.

He said the government would continue ensuring that public funds are spent on projects that directly benefit the people.

Marcos noted that the buildings are equipped with a fire sprinkler system that automatically detects and suppresses fires.

The project was completed four months ahead of schedule, in line with the President’s directive to fast-track the construction of the new facilities, replacing the fire-damaged structure.

A fire broke out on June 15, 2025, severely damaging an old two-story building with 10 classrooms and rendering it completely unusable.

The DPWH-built four-story Dao building replaced the fire-damaged structure and now houses 36 classrooms, while the SM-funded Henry Sy Sr. Hall replaced the old Narra Building and added 24 classrooms.

San Francisco High School, one of the largest public secondary schools in the country, serves about 6,800 learners. (PNA)