NAME OF IMMOVABLE HERITAGE: BURUANGA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MARCOS-TYPE BUILDING
Category: Schools and Educational Complexes
District of Buruanga
Contents
Background Information
Municipality/City: Buruanga
Province: Aklan
Location/Address:Poblacion, Buruanga, Aklan
Type: Marcos Type
Ownership: Public
Address/Location/Coordinates: This school building is located at Poblacion, Buruanga, Aklan on the top of the hill of about 100 meters from sea level, with longitude of 121.889260®E and latitude 11.844300®N
Area: Total Land Area: 2,154 Sq.m2. and Structure: Marcos-Type School Building: 149.24 Sq.m
Year Constructed/Estimated Age: This building was constructed in the year 1970, so it is 53 years old.
Ownership/Jurisdiction: Public ownership under the name of Buruanga Elementary School and under government jurisdiction.
Declaration/Legislation:The declaration under the name of Buruanga Elementary School with Tax Declaration No. 17-06-001-00177 and Property Identification No. 038-06-001-001-100
Narrative Description
Physical Description
Buruanga Elementary School was one of the recipients of the late Ferdinand E. Marcos’ school building project called the Marcos Pre-Fabricated School Building Program. This aimed at providing classrooms all over the country to answer the shortage of about 92,000 schoolrooms at that time. In his account, it was no less than the late president himself who designed those school buildings with the intention to finish the construction at the shortest number of days.
The building was constructed on top of a hill in Brgy. Poblacion. After climbing the 46 step stairs from the National Highway, this old but memorable school building provides a welcoming sight. The original structure was composed of six classrooms in a row. It was in 2013 that the third room collapsed due to Typhoon Yolanda. The Department of Education did not allocate funds for its total rehabilitation and was condemned. The area was cleaned and converted into a mini-park with plants and benches. A few years later, the last three classrooms were also declared by DepEd as condemnable so it was just utilized as stockrooms of salvaged construction materials and old school furniture, while the two classrooms which were assessed by Deped as safe to use, continued to be utilized as regular classrooms. To maintain the beauty of these five classrooms, the exterior walls were regularly painted with standard colors set by DepEd that are pleasing to the eyes. At present, it was painted with combinations of light green and light yellow, while the ceilings were white. The landscape in front and back of the building was dotted with fruit-bearing mangoes that gave shade and fresh air to everyone. Flowering and non-flowering plants were also planted in front of these classrooms. On the front walls of the condemned classrooms hang the bulletin boards of OK sa DepEd Programs and school announcements. Since the two classrooms were functional classrooms, each contained furniture like pupils’ chairs, blackboards, tables, cabinets and bulletin boards. Toilets inside the rooms were also built through stakeholders’ help. On both sides of this building were also classrooms built in later years by then education department.
History of the Structure
The construction of the building was done by contractors of then Ministry of Education. According to account, it was constructed for only 3months or 90 days, considering that it was a six-classroom building.
During the duration of the construction, the project was carried out smoothly except for some difficulties in hauling of materials from the highway to the hilltop site. The workers had to manually carry construction materials passing the 46 steps school stairs. That has prolonged the project duration instead of a shorter period.
These buildings opened its doors as venue for Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) meetings, housing venues during scouting activities and other educational contests of the school, district and provincial levels.
Various typhoons were overcome by this building and withstood the turbulent winds. Typhoon Undang in 1984, Ruping in 1990, Seniang in 2006, and Frank in 2008, were some of the most devastating calamities that hit this town of Buruanga. Oftentimes, its galvanized iron roofings were usually torn and blown away. Until in 2013, when Super Typhoon Yolanda came and again hit this town. The strong wind blew trees, and fell on the building leaving its trusses crumpled and the wall of one of the classrooms broke down. The other classrooms were restored after months but one was totally damaged and DepEd decided to demolish it.
Status. Occupied
Remarks: Two classrooms are occupied by pupils, three are utilized as stockroom.
Stories Associated with the Structure
Goodvibes story:
Mrs. Flordelita P. Precioso is at present the class adviser occupying one of the two classrooms of the Marcos Building. She feels nostalgic recollecting her childhood days spent in these classrooms from Grade 1 to Grade 6. It was at this exact classroom where she is occupying these years where her enthusiasm to become a teacher had started. The inspiration she got from her teachers fueled her love and pursued her teaching career. The laughter she shared with her classmates still resonates in her ears even after those long years, but sometimes, saddens her to think that some of them had already passed away together with some of their former mentors. Indeed, this building will always be cherished by Ma’am Precioso, together with her former classmates.
Goosebumps story:
The sister of Mrs. Lorebic P. Alamis, a teacher in this school has a creepy story of her childhood which she experienced while studying in this school. She was in the first grade then, with her classmates in one of the classrooms of this Marcos Building. She went to the toilet which was outside of their classroom to pee. She was so terrified after seeing a headless person in a white cloth inside the toilet! She ran as fast as she could back to their classroom. Upon narrating to their teacher, she was assisted back to the comfort room with her classmate but saw nothing. From then on, she never used that toilet. The story spread in the entire school that created fear to almost everyone. At home, she experienced nightmares that lasted for a long time.
Significance
Historical. This Marcos Building was one of the first, few school buildings in the whole district. All pupils from the neighboring barangays studied in this building for a number of decades before schools were constructed in their own barangays.
Aesthetic. The building has a simple but unique design. The long layers of metal bars mounted along the walls, provided an open space for the upper part of the classroom, making it well-ventilated and well-lighted by daylight. The doors were made of whole metal sheet that lasted up to the present, proving its durability.
Social. This edifice had been a testament to meaningful relationships formed in its half-century of existence in Buruanga Elementary School. Every time alumni gather in occasions like reunions, or school visits, they have memorable stories to tell about their elementary days in these Marcos classrooms. Some shared how they started here their puppy love into lifetime partners while many friendships were bound even after decades. The lessons they learned here had prepared them to interact socially in their personal journey in life.
Socioeconomic. This building has been an instrument in producing thousands of graduates who became professionals and have landed good paying jobs both local and international that have contributed to the upliftment of economic status of their family, the community, the country and even the world.
Socio-political. For more than five decades of existence, this Marcos Building has laid from its bossom community leaders; Municipal Mayors, Vice Mayors and other municipal and barangay officials. Moreover, it has also produced heads of various offices and departments in various organizations here and abroad.
Spiritual. Through this school building, a number of priests and religious heads and members were also nurtured in this school building during their educational stint in this school. Moreover, the people of this community are generally God-fearing and law-abiding as it was taught in these classrooms.
Conservation
Status/Condition of Sructure: Good
Remarks: The two classrooms are in good condition and is serving their purpose as a functional classroom of learners, while the three classroom are in deteriorating condition and being used as stockroom.
Integrity of the Sructure: Altered, Original site
Remarks: The walls of the building had undergone concrete finishing and plastering that strengthened its durability. The classroom division walls were reconstructed when damaged by termites, while the roofings were changed everytime its ruined by typhoons.
The building is still situated in its original site.
Constraints/Threats/Issue
The building was classified condemnable by DepEd since 2016. Considering the 53-year age of this building, there is the possibility that it will crumble especially during typhoons. This could lead to damage to nearby school buildings, furniture, and worse could cause accidents and loss of lives if ever it occurs.
Conservation Measures
The most vital step to conserve this historical structure that the school took, was the decision of the school head to continue using the building as a classroom. With occupants in it, means there are people to will maintain and take care of the classroom and the building itself. In fact, the school has other excess classrooms that can be used instead of this Marcos Building, but the principal opted to continue using this because she saw the historical value and the memories that this building has.
To maintain the structural integrity, funds from Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) from Department of Education were allocated for regular repairs. Funds from Special Education Fund (SEF) were also allocated by Buruanga Local Government Unit for its maintenance. Local stakeholders like PTA also contribute for the improvement like construction of toilets inside the classrooms, and painting of walls.
List of Significant Tangible Movable Heritage
| Name of Object | Photo | Year produced or estimated age |
|---|---|---|
| School Bell |  |
1960, 63 years old |
References
KEY INFORMANT/S:
ROSA R. SUALOG
School Principal I, Buruanga Elementary School District of Buruanga
CARLOS D. DUMALAOG
Retired Principal, In-charge of the District
LILIA T. PANGANIBAN
Retired Master Teacher I
Buruanga Elementary School
FLORDELITA P. PRECIOSO
Teacher III
Buruanga Elementary School
REFERENCE/S AND OTHER RESOURCES:
Municipal Assessor’s Office And National School Building Inventory
NAME OF PROFILER/MAPPER:
JOLI PANGANIBAN-ILIN
Master Teacher II
Buruanga Elementary School
LANGUAGE EXPERT:
DIONADITH GAY H. ISTURIS
Teacher III
Numancia Integrated School
LAY-OUT ARTIST:
EZEQUIAS C. BANSULI
Master Teacher I
Manocmanoc Elementary School
CONTENT EVALUATORS:
DENNIS E. BONTOGON
Master Teacher III
Kalibo Pilot Elementary School
APPROVED:
RUBY AGNES B. ESTRADA, PhD
Education Program Supervisor
Araling Panlipunan
DATE PROFILED:
June 26, 2023
