THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) Davao City Division inaugurated two new school buildings set to serve Barangay Salaysay and Tamugan in Marilog District.
The new buildings were for Tamugan National High School in Tamugan and Balah Licosan National High School in Salaysay, funded by the city government’s Special Education Fund (SEF).
Tamugan National High School got a four-story, 20-classroom building, while Balah Licosan National High School received a three-story, six-classroom structure, according to DepEd Davao City.
The school buildings were turned over in separate ceremonies attended by Atty. Antoinette G. Principe.
DepEd Davao City said the buildings will help address classroom shortages and provide safer and better-equipped learning spaces for students.
“We are taking massive steps toward addressing classroom shortages and ensuring that every Davaoeño learner has the absolute best environment to learn, grow, and succeed,” the agency said.
The agency described the project as a product of partnership between the local government unit and DepEd.
To note, the city government has funded the construction of 25 school buildings over the past two years, but Principe said the classroom gap remains above 4,000.
The councilor, chair of the committee on education, science and technology, said the city funded 12 school buildings in 2024, with a total of 49 classrooms, and nine Home Economics buildings.
In 2025, it funded 13 school buildings with 90 classrooms, and an additional four Home Economics buildings.
DepEd and the city government have signed a memorandum of agreement to speed up school construction. Under the agreement, DepEd will transfer funds to the city, which will implement the construction.
Two schools have already gone through the process as of 2026.
During the 41st regular session of the 21st City Council on Tuesday, an ordinance granting legislative authority for Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with DepEd Davao City passed on third and final reading.
The ordinance was related to the construction of a three-story, nine-classroom building for Binowang Elementary School in Barangay Fatima, Paquibato District.