PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to fast-track the rebuilding of a school building in Quezon City that was gutted by fire just a day before the school year opened.
During his visit to San Francisco High School in Bago Bantay, Marcos said the two-story Dao Building that was destroyed would be replaced by a new four-story structure.
“I have instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways to assess how long the rebuilding will take. Ang plano yata, itong two stories, gagawing four stories para ‘yung ibang facilities na kailangan ay mailagay din. So in a way, this is an opportunity for us to upgrade the building,” Marcos told reporters.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the DPWH has recommended the full demolition of the fire-hit structure and the construction of a 36-classroom building worth P180 million. He said the building could be completed within a year.
“Ang recommendation po ng Department of Public Works is gibain na po ‘yung istruktura at gumawa na po ng panibagong four-story, 36-classroom, na nagkakahalaga ng P180 million,” Angara said.
The fire broke out on June 16, Sunday morning, just a day before classes for School Year 2025–2026 were set to open. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) raised the first alarm at 10:52 a.m. and declared the fire under control shortly before noon. The blaze reached the third alarm but was quickly contained.
The school, located near SM North Edsa, sustained an estimated P3 million in damage, according to principal Marissa Rodriguez. She said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
However, President Marcos said initial assessments pointed to an electrical issue. He urged public schools to inspect and upgrade their electrical systems to avoid similar incidents.
“We have to look at the other schools also at tiyakin na at the very least, may magandang fuse box para ‘di makapag-overload sa ating electrical systems,” he said.
Rodriguez said at least 600 students were affected by the fire, but classes continued through a shifting schedule for senior high school students.
