Planas High School celebrates the formal turnover of its new school building, a project by Pasudeco and HOPE organization. The new facility, which will benefit both students and teachers, was officially handed over in a ceremony led by Pasudeco President Andrew Escaler and HOPE Program Associate Strength Licuanan. Roderico Cayanan, representative from the Department of Education (DepEd), the school’s principal, and local barangay officials were also in attendance.
Elizabeth Del Fin, Principal of Planas High School, expressed her gratitude for the new building, which allows the school to transition from a double-shift schedule to a more convenient single-shift system. Previously, students and teachers faced transportation challenges, with no available transport at 6 AM or 6 PM. With the new class schedule from 7 AM to 3 PM, commuting is now easier and more affordable.
“We are excited because our students no longer need to worry about the lack of transportation early in the morning or late in the evening. They can also save on transportation costs. The teachers will also benefit from this change as they can head home earlier,” said Del Fin.
The newly built classrooms will provide a more comfortable learning environment, particularly for Grade 10 students transitioning to senior high school. Each classroom is equipped with its own restroom, providing students with better facilities during school hours.
Licuanan highlighted that this project is part of a broader initiative by HOPE to support local communities through education. “This new school building will benefit students by giving them a larger, more modern space to learn in. We hope it will allow teachers to focus more on their instruction and less on the disruptions caused by overcrowded classrooms,” said Licuanan.
Escaler emphasized Pasudeco’s commitment to giving back to the community that has supported the company over the years. “We believe that education is key to improving people’s lives, and we are proud to invest in the future of Planas’ children. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the help of this community, and this school building is our way of saying thank you.”
The construction of the school building began after a groundbreaking ceremony on April 29, 2024, and will serve more than 500 students. Currently, the local barangay, headed by Barangay Capt. Alfer Nacu, with support from the municipal government, is also constructing a footbridge over a small creek to improve access to the new facility.