Mayor Khymer Olaso on Wednesday, October 1 spearheads the turnover of the newly-constructed 2-storey, 6-classroom building at the Tumaga National High School.

Costing P19.88M, the school building is the first permanent structure built within the Tumaga NHS campus. It was undertaken by a private contractor under the supervision of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Zamboanga City 2nd District Engineering Office.

In his message, Mayor Olaso thanked the previous administration under then Mayor John Dalipe for initiating the project given that classes were only held in makeshift classrooms prior to the completion of the building.

He likewise encouraged students to pursue education and good values. “Everything can be learned. One day, you’ll be the leader of Zamboanga City. With God’s grace, reza ustedes, hace lang ustedes el bueno. Stay away from drugs, nomas quita man rambol-rambol kay hinde kel bueno. Please, ta pidi yo, let us be good for Zamboanga City.”

The new building is expected to significantly improve the learning environment for students in Tumaga, marking a transformative step forward for the local education sector.

Meanwhile, another 4-storey 20-classroom school building is currently under construction for the Tumaga NHS, a project funded by the city government also under the previous Dalipe administration. Olaso also pledged to allocate additional funding to complete the project.

Also present during the turnover ceremony were Councilors Mel Sadain, Gian Enriquez and Joel EstebanDPWH 2nd District Engineer Pilar Rivera, Tumaga Brgy. Chairperson Jacqueline Lim, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Roy Tuballa, and School Principal Sheryll Surmieda, among others. (Bernadeth Lazaro) (photo credits: Roselyn Bunot)