Within one year, construction of the 10-storey Magsaysay High School building along España Boulevard in Sampaloc will be completed.

This was the commitment of Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Tuesday, 10 February, as he led the resumption of construction of the fully air-conditioned school building.

“Next year, on the same day and time, we will inaugurate Magsaysay High School,” the Mayor said.

He explained that the resumption aims to restore certainty after years of delay that left parents, teachers, and students unsure when the project would be finished.

Domagoso said the city would ensure that construction proceeds without further disruption, allowing students to return to a fully completed campus environment.

“Today is a ceremony to light the fire again,” he said. “I’ll make sure, through our engineers, architects, construction workers, and barangay officials, to the parents, to the faculty: Pag hindi ’to natapos ng one year, soli-pera.”

He also assured parents that students would no longer be subjected to construction hazards or disorder once the building is ready.

“By the time dumating kayo dito, notebook na lang ang dala niyo. No more movement, no more disarray. You just gonna sit on an upscale public education classroom,” the Mayor said.

The mayor reiterated that the project was a public commitment made during his election campaign and that the city adjusted its finances to honor that pledge.

“In my own little way, I will move heaven and earth as I have promised,” he said.

He also stressed that school construction must be planned beyond immediate needs and aligned with population growth to prevent recurring shortages.

“When we try to cure and address the universally accepted student-teacher ratio in a classroom, we don’t address it for today; we must address it 10 years from now.”

He added that his administration deliberately chose to focus resources on essential services rather than decorative projects.

Domagoso said the city’s investments are centered on what he described as minimum basic needs.

“’Di na ’yung mga palamuti, halamanin, bulaklakin, pakislap,” the Mayor said. “Pupuhunan natin ang MBN: Minimum Basic Needs. Education, healthcare, housing, and jobs. These are the four pillars of our governance.”