President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited a concrete modular classroom facility in Bataan, as the government looks for faster ways to ease classroom shortages in public schools.
Concrete Stone Corp. (CSC) presented its factory-built classroom system to Marcos and Education Secretary Sonny Angara, saying the technology could help speed up the delivery of school buildings by shifting much of the construction work off-site.
The company said classroom components are produced in a controlled factory environment and then assembled at its plant in Bataan, cutting construction time and reducing on-site labor needs while improving quality control.
The modular classrooms comply with Department of Education standards and have a floor area of 75.6 square meters, enough to accommodate up to 42 students and one teacher, CSC said.
The structures are built using precast concrete components such as walls, slabs, beams, stairs and retaining walls. CSC said the classrooms are designed to withstand severe weather and earthquakes of up to magnitude 8, offering a more durable alternative for schools needing additional learning spaces quickly.
Marcos also visited Mariveles National High School-Cabcaben Annex in Bataan, where prefabricated classrooms are already being used to help serve a growing student population.
School principal Jerry Perello said the modular system allowed the school to complete classrooms in a much shorter period, enabling students and teachers to use the facilities sooner.
CSC President Alfredo Comendador Jr. said concrete modular construction has already been widely used in nearby markets such as Hong Kong and Singapore, and could help the Philippines accelerate school construction while improving building quality and resilience.
The Philippines has long faced shortages in classrooms, particularly in fast-growing communities and disaster-prone areas, prompting the government to explore alternative construction methods that can deliver school facilities more quickly.
Business News Asia
