For Principal Rosa Ellen Ramos, the visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Barihan Elementary School on Monday was nothing short of extraordinary.
Ramos thanked President Marcos on behalf of the school’s 14 teachers, 314 pupils, and their parents and guardians, for choosing to visit them out of thousands of other public schools.
The principal said she was thankful for the President’s instruction to improve conditions in their school further.
She said the President also experienced firsthand one other worry that students, parents, and teachers face when he and his son, William Vincent, walked the length of a tight alley to reach the school from the main street.
The alley cannot fit two people walking side by side.
“Nakita po niya (President Marcos) ang mga kailangang bigyang solusyon dito po sa paaralan at siya naman po ay, habang nag-uusap po sila ni Secretary Angara, tine-take down notes. Ibig sabihin po, talagang bibigyang pansin po nila ang nakitang kakulangan,” Ramos said.
Established in 1965, Barihan Elementary School had been hit hard by typhoons in recent years, the most recent being Super Typhoon Carina in 2024.
The President examined photos of the school in the aftermath of the typhoons, which showed damage to the old wooden ceiling boards, puddles inside the classroom, and soaked school modules and books.
Ramos said that during heavy rains, the school grounds would flood due to poor drainage or the overflowing creek nearby.
Leading this year’s nationwide Brigada Eskwela, Marcos made sure that a public elementary school in Malolos City, Bulacan, would have its needs addressed when schools reopen on June 16.
President Marcos’ visit to the Barihan Elementary School cheered the teachers, parents, students, and community volunteers who were getting their school ready for the new academic year.
The President walked the school grounds, checked on ongoing painting and repairs of classrooms, and turned over bags, school supplies, laptops, and tablets, as well as privately donated devices to connect to the satellite-powered internet provider Starlink.
Between discussing concerns with school officials and the public, the President chatted with teachers, parents, and even some pupils who helped create classroom teaching materials.
President Marcos even installed a new blackboard in one classroom, alongside his son, William Vincent, and Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, demonstrating his familiarity with using a cordless screwdriver.
“Gusto niyang makita yung totoong estado ng ating mga eskwelahan at sino yung matutulungan niya,” Angara said about the President’s visit. | PND
