School in Itogon, Benguet razed by fire in Aug. 2021 gets replacement

Itogon, Benguet – The construction of new buildings for the Laurencio Memorial National High School (LNFHS) -Annex Bantic High School in Dalupirip, Itogon which was destroyed by fire on August 22, 2021, will start in the first quarter of 2022.

The school was totally burnt, making it difficult for the workers to carry out their duties and responsibilities, and the only hope is to erect new buildings.

Barangay Captain Paul Camantiles disclosed the good news in a report published through the Mountain Province Broadcasting Corporation on Wednesday, August 27.

Camantiles said that a P20 million fund from the Congressional Office for the construction of the said school was already handed over to the Department of Education (DepEd).

The design of the school building, he said, will be provided by DepEd, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) taking care of its construction.

He said that the plan of establishing a new school building was also explained to the Dalupirip community during the turnover and installation ceremony of school heads on Monday, October 25.

As recalled, two buildings of the said school were razed by fire on Sunday morning with no casualties. Based on the incident report of Benguet Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), a fault in the circuit line may have caused the fire that started at the school’s main building.

Congressman Eric Yap immediately spoke to DepEd Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua to seek funds for the immediate rehabilitation of the school. Yap had said that if there will be no funds available, the funding for the school will be included in the 2022 budget.

With the funding, he assured that the school will rise before the approval of the face-to-face classes by the Department of Education.