DPWH constructs low-cost school buildings in Dipolog

The Department of Public Works and Highways has started building 24 classrooms in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte — for the price of 15. Citing "savings" achieved by hiring local residents, the DPWH said some P2.45 million in savings from the P7.161 million it received to build 15 classrooms allowed it to build the nine extra classrooms. "When we employ people in the locality, we can also help them alleviate their living conditions," District Engineer Leoncio Solamillo said. According to the DPWH, it received P6.102 million for the second congressional district of Zamboanga del Norte and P1.059 million for Dipolog City under the 2010 Department of Education Regular School Building Program to complete 24 new classrooms to support the growing population. Low-cost plan Solamillo noted it is only in this congressional district that school buildings can be constructed at P5,600 per square meter, which is much cheaper than in other areas. The DPWH said the average cost per classroom built by the DPWH and DepEd is pegged at P650,000 per classroom whereas the cost of classroom built in this district is only P275,000 per classroom. This has been made possible by using a special low-cost school building design that also meets the minimum requirements for school buildings. Solamillo added the plan for a 7-x-14-meter, two-classroom school building was approved by the DPWH Bureau of Design in consultation with the DepEd. DPWH Assistant Secretary and DPWH Task Force on School Building Chairman Dimas Soguilon is working to complete these school buildings by yearend. – KG, GMA News