The rehabilitation of a historic school building in Minglanilla, Cebu, remains on hold more than eight months after construction stopped, with the Commission on Audit (COA) warning that the prolonged delay could expose the structure to deterioration and put public funds to inefficient use.
The P2.648-million project at Lipata Elementary School had reached 79.79% completion as of July 7, 2025, before the municipal government ordered the contractor to suspend work indefinitely on July 17, upon the recommendation of the municipal engineer.
Minglanilla awarded the rehabilitation contract on March 25, 2025, for the Gabaldon building in Barangay Linao-Lipata.
The suspension followed concerns raised by the school’s then principal in a letter dated July 10, 2025, about whether the construction materials and methods complied with conservation standards for Gabaldon school buildings.
The school requested a temporary halt while the appropriate rehabilitation methods, materials and procedures were reviewed.
However, COA found no formal communication from the Department of Education (DepEd) specifying the project’s status or the technical requirements and revisions needed to resolve the concerns.
Auditors also reported that they had received no updates on measures taken by the municipality and the school to address the issues and resume construction. The school’s current caretaker could not provide further details, saying the suspension request had come from her predecessor, who retired in 2025.
COA said the delay raised concerns under Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 1445, which requires government resources to be managed efficiently, economically and effectively and protected against loss or wastage.
The audit team acknowledged the municipality’s and school’s precautionary measures under Republic Act No. 11194, or the Gabaldon School Buildings Conservation Act.
The law prohibits unauthorized modifications, alterations, destruction, demolition or relocation of Gabaldon school buildings.
When conservation work is necessary, DepEd must coordinate with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the National Museum to provide technical assistance and preserve the buildings’ original architectural design.
During an ocular inspection, auditors found that the school building already had tiled flooring and windows made of sliding glass or jalousie-type materials before the rehabilitation project began.
COA distinguished rehabilitation, which involves repairing or improving an existing structure, from restoration, which seeks to return a building to a specific historical or original condition.
The audit team said earlier consultation with the concerned agencies could have helped the municipality resolve technical issues before the project reached an advanced stage. The absence of clear directives and technical requirements, it added, had prolonged the suspension and left the building vulnerable to deterioration and other risks.
In its response, the municipal government said it initially proceeded in good faith, believing the renovation was permissible based on previous interventions on the structure.
It acknowledged, however, the need for further coordination with DepEd and other concerned agencies before resuming the remaining work.
COA recommended that the municipality coordinate with the relevant agencies to prepare action plans and require the contractor to submit a catch-up program to speed up implementation.
The municipal government agreed to seek guidance from the appropriate authorities and determine whether continuing or terminating the contract would be the most lawful and practical option.
It also committed to taking the necessary contractual actions and improving project planning and inter-agency coordination for future projects involving heritage-sensitive structures.
Photo courtesy of Minglanilla LGU
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