Lot procurement for Buhisan school underway

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Government is currently in the process of procuring a relocation site for Buhisan Elementary School after declaring a state of emergency due to geohazard issues found in its structural foundation.

During a press conference on Monday, March 24, 2025, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said there is now a green light to relocate the school after discovering that efforts to find a relocation site had started back in 2019.

But the pandemic and the alleged inaction of the previous administration delayed the process.

"So, they could have acted on it. Wa man gihapon sila mo-act," said Garcia.

The proposed relocation site has been forwarded to the Cebu City Government's appraisal committee for valuation. Once the appraisal process is completed, the government will proceed with the procurement of the property located near the Barangay Hall of Buhisan. This site has been recommended by barangay officials and the Local School Board (LSB) as the most suitable location.

Despite these efforts, Garcia admitted there is no definite timeline for the relocation due to an election ban on the disbursement of public funds mandated by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). He is hopeful the project will proceed right after the election.

In light of the ongoing heavy rainfall in the city, Garcia emphasized the urgency of addressing the situation promptly.

"So, all the more that it is susceptible to erosion and landslide mao ning atong paspasan," he added.

The budget for the relocation site was initially appropriated in 2019 under the LSB's account, sourced from the 1% mandatory fund for educational projects, including infrastructure. The proposed site, measuring 7,000 square meters, is valued at approximately P4,000 to P5,000 per square meter. However, Garcia emphasized the need for an appraisal to determine the most accurate cost.

Regarding class arrangements, Garcia said he would leave the decision to the school principal. In an initial meeting, the principal suggested a modular learning scheme.

In a previous interview, Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Director for Central Visayas Salustiano Jimenez expressed a preference for continuing face-to-face classes despite the structural issues.

"But we really prefer face-to-face classes lalo na ngayon na the last quarter examination is coming," said Jimenez, noting that the end of the school year is approaching. He added that they have conducted debriefings and orientations to alleviate concerns and to utilize safer areas around the school.

A joint inspection by Cebu City’s Disaster team and the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) on March 19, 2025, revealed further deterioration in the affected areas. This led the city government to close the Principal’s Office and shift classes to modular learning due to the risk posed by incessant rainfall.

On the same day, the Cebu City Council officially approved the declaration of a state of emergency for Buhisan Elementary School and its surrounding area based on a resolution authored by Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman of the Committee on Disaster.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) had earlier requested a Geohazard Assessment Report from MGB-7 due to visible ground cracks. The initial assessment by the CDRRMO and the Office of the Building Official (OBO) noted cracks in the walls, slabs, floors, and beams of the Principal's Office and classrooms.

MGB-7 recommended further engineering studies to determine appropriate measures for addressing the landslide hazard. They advised against further development, such as playgrounds, in identified landslide areas and recommended installing a proper drainage system to redirect water flow. — (FREEMAN)