MALASIQUI: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the construction of PHP23.6 million worth of school buildings in San Fernando City and Sudipen town, La Union. In a statement on Wednesday, DPWH La Union First District Engineering Office engineer Jose Ginete Jr. identified the projects as the two-story four-classroom building worth PHP14.9 million at Catbangen Elementary School in San Fernando City, and the four classrooms in Duplas National High School and six in Duplas Elementary School in Sudipen town worth a total of PHP8.7 million. 'In addition to the classrooms, the new building (in Catbangen Elementary School) includes a stand-alone hand-washing facility, comfort rooms, water tanks, and water pumps to ensure convenience for both students and teachers. It is also equipped with a generator that provides electricity to the building and two nearby buildings. The building can be an evacuation center during disasters,' he said. Construction of the building, funded under the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF) in 2023, started on July 24, 2023 and completed on March 21 this year. Ginete said construction of the six classrooms in Duplas Elementary School started on Jan. 16 this year and was completed last May 14 the same year, with contract amount of around PHP4.9 million. He said the four classrooms in Duplas National High School also started on Jan. 16 this year and was completed on April 14, with contract amount of around PHP3.8 million. The two classroom projects are funded under the Department of Education Quick Respond Fund 2023 (DepEd QRF 2023). 'In addition to meeting the educational needs of the community, the completed project will also benefit the residents of Barangay Duplas, as the school building can also function as an essential home for the residents during calamities,' Ginete said. Source: Philippines News Agency