The national government is expediting the rehabilitation of Basco Central School in Batanes, a heritage site that was destroyed by fire last year, with the goal of making it operational again by 2027.

According to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to coordinate closely with the Department of Education (DepEd) to address classroom shortages across the country, in a report by RH Boy Gonzales on RH Balita.

“Inutusan ako ng Pangulo na umiikot sa buong bansa and yun nga namention niya sa akin itong school dito sa Basco [Batanes] na nasunog last year,” Dizon said in a video statement.

For over a year, around 635 students have been holding classes in small makeshift classrooms following the fire, a situation that has reportedly affected the quality of their education.

Dizon also confirmed that he and Education Secretary Sonny Angara have signed a memorandum to begin reconstruction of the school within the year.

“Sisimulan na po natin 'yung reconstruction nitong school this year,“ he said,

The DPWH emphasized the importance of restoring the school, noting its historical significance as a heritage institution in the province.

“Bibilisan natin ang paggawa, next year tapos ito,” Dizon said, referring to the target completion of the reconstruction.

During a recent inspection of the site, Dizon was joined by Batanes Governor Ronald Aguto Jr.. Officials assured that construction would begin soon and that the new classrooms would be built to be durable, safe, and conducive to learning.

“Heritage school ito, very historically significant. Pero ang nakakalungkot lang talaga, more than one year nang ganito, at ‘yung mga estudyante natin, nakakaawa. So, na-commit na po natin kay Governor, tsaka sa mga teachers natin na sisimulan na po natin ‘yung reconstruction nitong school natin dito sa Basco,” DPWH chief said in the caption.

“Directive talaga ng Pangulo, kahit malayong lugar, hindi natin iiwanan,” Dizon added.