LIPA CITY, Batangas, March 22, 2022 – The Department of Education (DepEd) lauded the efforts of the Batangas Local Government as Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones joined the inauguration of numerous school buildings and facilities at Basilio Fernando Air Base Civilian Education Center on March 10.

“I would like to congratulate all of you. ‘Yong lahat ng nag-contribute nitong isang konsepto na ito na napakaganda, at napaka-useful para sa edukasyon. Ito ‘yong integrated na approach. Isang campus, isang administrasyon, at isang lugar kung saan lahat ng lebel ng edukasyon ay available,” Secretary Briones said during the inauguration.

“May initiative ang ating congressman, ang ating senador, ang ating airbase, at ang ating community. Maraming salamat na in-appreciate pa rin natin ang value at importance ng education para sa ating learners,” Sec. Briones added.

Fernando Airbase Elementary School received two units for 4-story buildings, with 32 classrooms catering to approximately 1,280 learners. They also accepted a school gym and a multi-purpose facility equipped with automatic fire sprinkler system.

Meanwhile, Fernando Airbase Integrated National High School acquired four units of 4-story buildings with 80 classrooms that can accommodate almost 3,200 students, a school gym, and a multi-purpose facility. PHILSCA also received a school building with 21 classrooms, a school gym, and a multi-purpose building that could be big enough for 840 learners.

The said project is part of the education assistance of the Batangas LGU to provide a better, safer, and more comfortable learning environment for its constituents.

The education center was completed four years after the Philippine Air Force (PAF), DepEd – Division of Lipa City, and Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PHILSCA) inked the memorandum of agreement to push through with the development. The project is one of the initiatives of Batangas 6th District Representative Vilma Santos-Recto and Senator Ralph Recto.

“Let us invest not only in our facilities. Pero, ang pinakamahalaga ay ‘yong ating mga guro. Kayong mga guro rito, ang hamon sa inyo rin is to inspire your students to be the best that they can be. ‘Yan ang susi, ‘yan ang solusyon sa ating edukasyon,” Sen. Recto said.

Briones also encouraged the teachers and other education stakeholders to think about the future of education and assist the learners with appropriate learning materials based on their needs.

“We need to do something because the future cannot wait for us. Every day, something new is happening, and we have to keep track. This is the challenge for all of us,” Briones noted.

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