Head of ‘overpriced’ Makati HS airs appeal

SCHOOL IN SENATE SPOTLIGHT The Makati Science High School in Barangay Cembo

MANILA, Philippines—To protect the students from “needless anxiety,” the principal of the allegedly overpriced Makati Science High School (MSHS) has appealed to the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee to inspect the building on a weekend.

In a statement on Wednesday, MSHS principal Evangelina Apolinario said she made the request in a letter she sent to subcommittee chair Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on Tuesday.

Pimentel, she added, had informed her earlier via a faxed message that the committee would conduct the ocular inspection starting at 9 a.m. on Friday.

“We would like to spare our students from needless anxiety and other adverse effects they may suffer if they witness the actual inspection of their school facilities,” she said. According to her, this would also prevent the disruption of classes.

“We trust that you also have the best interest of the youth at heart and will understand our concern for the wellbeing of our students,” she added.

Lawyer Renato Bondal earlier told the Senate committee which is looking into allegations that then Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and other members of his family profited from the construction of overpriced buildings in his city that the MSHS was built at a price tag of P1.5 billion.

Bondal claimed that the 10-story school building was overpriced by P862 million.

In the same statement, Apolinario described the facilities of the high school found on Kalayaan Avenue in Barangay Cembo.

According to her, the school which officially opened in June, has eight modern science laboratories, a robotics center, a digital speech laboratory, reading center, 20-seater conference room, audiovisual room, culinary arts room, press room, six faculty rooms and 27 academic classrooms.

It also “has a basement parking with 75 slots” with a dormitory with 20 rooms located on the eighth floor. Each room has four double-deck beds that can fit eight students.

The statement said the Department of Education granted the school the “authority” to implement its Special Science and Technology Curriculum on May 27, 1994.

At present, the MSHS, which is reportedly among the top 100 performing public and private schools in the Philippines, has 870 students who enjoy “modern amenities that match their advanced learning needs,” it added. Kristine Felisse Mangunay