President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said two newly completed four-storey school buildings at San Francisco High School in Quezon City show what can be achieved when public funds are properly used and government works with the private sector.
Marcos made the statement after inspecting the 36-classroom Dao Building built by the Department of Public Works and Highways and the 24-classroom Henry Sy Hall funded by SM Supermalls.
The two buildings added a total of 60 classrooms to San Francisco High School, one of the country’s largest public secondary schools with around 6,800 learners.
The President said he was grateful, and even surprised, that high-quality school facilities could be built in just eight months and be ready for students who started the new school year last Monday.
“We’re working together, makita naman talaga ninyo what it is that we can achieve as long as the money goes to the project, not into people’s pockets,” Marcos said.
“We’re working together, and you can really see what can be achieved as long as the money goes to the project, not into people’s pockets,” he added.
Marcos thanked the DPWH, Department of Education, Quezon City local government and private sector partners for helping complete the project.
“Basta’t pumasok sa proyekto nang tama, ay ganito ang ating nagagawa. Patuloy nating gagawin ’yan at patuloy natin titiyakin na ang pondo ng pamahalaan ay napupunta sa mga proyektong kagaya nito,” Marcos said.
“As long as the project is done properly, this is what we can achieve. We will continue to do this and make sure that government funds go to projects like this,” he added.
The Dao Building was constructed by the DPWH on the site of classrooms that were destroyed by a fire in June 2025.
Marcos said the new buildings were designed to withstand earthquakes and equipped with fire safety features, including sprinkler systems, to protect students and teachers.
“We should all be very happy about that. We should all be very proud. And it should demonstrate very clearly what can be achieved when funding is used properly,” Marcos said.
“It does not go into people’s pockets, but goes directly towards these important projects such as this,” he added.
The President said the additional classrooms would help provide students with a more comfortable and conducive learning environment.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and SM Supermalls President Steven Tan were also present during the inspection.