DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara led the inauguration of the country’s first fully air-conditioned public school building at Pacita 2 Elementary School in San Pedro City, Laguna, marking a milestone in the Department of Education’s drive to modernize public school facilities.
The four-storey structure houses 12 fully air-conditioned classrooms that will be used by elementary pupils at one of the most congested public schools in the area. DepEd said the facility aims to improve classroom conditions, particularly during extreme heat that has repeatedly disrupted in-person classes.
Angara said the project reflects the department’s focus on school infrastructure that supports student welfare and learning outcomes, as it addresses long-standing gaps in classroom availability and quality.
Local government officials, school administrators, and DepEd personnel joined Angara during the inauguration, which included the unveiling of the building marker and the blessing of the facility.
Pacita 2 Elementary School serves thousands of students and has long struggled with classroom shortages. School officials said the additional classrooms are expected to ease overcrowding and provide a more conducive learning environment.
DepEd said similar infrastructure upgrades in other areas will depend on available funding as the agency continues efforts to reduce the nationwide classroom backlog.
