TO STRENGTHEN efforts to conserve and restore heritage schools, the Department of Education raised its awareness and appreciation campaign of the Gabaldon Schoolhouses and other heritage buildings in the country.

The Gabaldon School Buildings or Gabaldons are schools created during the American occupation and were patterned from the traditional nipa huts or bahay kubo.

“Witness to historical events and personalities, Gabaldon and other heritage school buildings played a pioneering role in the development of the Philippine public school system,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

DepEd’s awareness campaign is in line with Republic Act 11194 or the Gabaldon School Buildings Conservation Act. The law aims to preserve the architectural, historical and social significance of  legacy structures.

Briones also sought help in the conservation and restoration of heritage schools.

“The Gabaldon Schoolhouses are forerunners and treasures of Philippine education, it goes without saying that this nationwide project is no easy task and we call upon everyone to help and support this endeavor,” she added.

As provided by the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 11194, DepEd, with the help of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the National Museum of the Philippines, will implement a program for the identification and conservation of all Gabaldon School Buildings nationwide.

During the national declaration of the Gabaldon Schoolhouses Day Celebration in Agno Central School in Pangasinan, Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua emphasized the importance of restoring Gabaldon Schoolhouses.

“In the process of restoring them physically, by virtue of reconstructing and putting all together yung mga dati pa niyang features, nire-restore din natin yung connection natin sa history. Yung connection ng mga bata sa kasaysayan nung kanilang mga Gabaldon schoolhouses,” Pascua said.

The Office of the Undersecretary for Administration and Office of the Undersecretary for Field Operations will develop programs, activities and events for the celebration of Gabaldon Heritage Week to be held between December 1 and 20.