By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Monday inaugurated a new six-storey building at Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School in San Andres, Malate, adding 68 fully air-conditioned classrooms and modern facilities to one of the city’s oldest public schools.
Built on a 2,596-square-meter lot with a total floor area of 11,221 square meters, the new structure was completed in two phases, with the first finished in December 2023 and the second in August 2026.
Domagoso said investing in school infrastructure ahead of growing demand would help ensure better learning environments and more acceptable student-teacher ratios in the years ahead.
“To build today is cheaper. To build today is better,” the mayor said, stressing the need for more modern, decent and better-equipped schools for future generations.
Recalling his own experience as a product of the public education system, Domagoso encouraged students to pursue their ambitions.
“Who would have thought na isa sa mga estudyante ninyo ay pwedeng maging mayor ng Maynila?” he said.
The building includes a computer room, library, Madrasah room, Alternative Learning System room, faculty rooms, canteen, clinic and two elevators, among other facilities.
Domagoso also highlighted the city’s plans to expand access to higher education, particularly in medicine, nursing and allied health sciences.
He cited the upcoming completion of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila’s new Allied Health Sciences building near Quirino Avenue and Roxas Boulevard, beside the new Hospital ng Maynila. The facility is expected to increase enrollment capacity in medical and allied health programs from 300 to as many as 5,000 students.
“The City of Manila will provide it for free,” Domagoso said, referring to the courses offered at the facility.
Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School was officially named on September 28, 1951, during the administration of then-Mayor Manuel dela Fuente. It has served the Malate community for more than seven decades.
The inauguration adds to the city government’s ongoing school infrastructure program, which includes several multistorey public school buildings initiated under Domagoso.
During his first term, the mayor initiated the construction of the 10-storey Manila Science High School building, which features 158 fully air-conditioned classrooms, a library, auditorium, basketball gym with a roof-deck sports area, canteen and five elevators. The project cost ₱1.3 billion.
Another project is the new 10-storey, fully air-conditioned building at Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo, intended to expand classroom capacity in one of Manila’s most densely populated districts.
The city is also continuing construction of the 10-storey Ramon Magsaysay High School building in Sampaloc. Planned facilities include a gymnasium, auditorium, four science laboratories, a library and e-library, outdoor sports facilities and two special education rooms for children with special needs.
The projects form part of Manila’s continuing investment in public school facilities and expanded educational opportunities for its residents.
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