Pagcor turns over 2 Ilocos Sur school buildings

Ilocos Sur became the latest beneficiary of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (Pagcor) school building project.

Pagcor, together with its partner agencies, the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), turned over a two-story, six-classroom building to Ilocos Sur National High School (ISNHS) in Vigan City and a one-story, five-classroom building to Banaoang Community School (BanCS) in the Municipality of Santa.

The two buildings will benefit more than 6,000 students from both schools.

Built in 1902, ISNHS is one of the country’s oldest learning institutions. It is likewise the most densely - populated public school in the province with a current student population of 6,000.

Despite its huge population, the school has only 100 functional classrooms.

“With this new school building we will have adequate rooms for our students. Likewise, we will have additional spaces where they can enhance their skills as we plan to make this new facility a computer center,” said INHS principal Romulo Quitevis.

BanCS Head Salvador Lazo Jr., was also extremely grateful to the state-owned gaming firm for giving them more than what they requested.

“Tulong lang po para sa pagbili at pagpapakabit ng mga bagong floor tiles sa ilang classrooms ang hiniling namin sa Pagcor, pero higit pa roon ang aming natanggap – isang napakagandang five-classroom building na tutulong sa pagbuo ng matatayog na pangarap ng aming mga mag-aaral,” Lazo said.

With only 248 pupils, BanCS has enough classrooms for its enrollees. But most of their classrooms are cramped.