Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso committed Tuesday to finishing the construction of the 10-story Magsaysay High School within one year, vowing to end years of delays for the project.

Leading the formal resumption of work on the site along España Boulevard in Sampaloc, Domagoso promised that the fully air-conditioned building would be inaugurated by 10 February 2027.

“Today is a ceremony to light the fire again,” the mayor said. Addressing parents and faculty, he added, “If this is not finished in one year, money back.”

The project had been stalled for several years, leaving the school community in a state of uncertainty. Domagoso stressed that the city had adjusted its finances to honor the campaign pledge, ensuring the campus would be ready for students to return to an “upscale” learning environment.

“By the time you arrive here, you will only bring your notebooks. No more movement, no more disarray,” the mayor said.

Domagoso also cited that his administration is prioritizing “minimum basic needs” — education, healthcare, housing and jobs — over decorative city projects. He argued that school construction must be planned for long-term population growth rather than just immediate needs to effectively manage student-teacher ratios.

“When we try to 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 said.

The mayor assured residents that the city would monitor the engineers and construction workers closely to prevent further disruptions to the project.