MANKAYAN, Benguet – The reconstructed Lepanto National High School (LNHS) building that was ravaged by fire on Aug. 14, 2019 was inaugrated in time for the celebration of the school’s 68th founding anniversary.
LNHS alumnus Mankayan Mayor Frenzel A. Ayong led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company Communications head Butch S. Mendizabal and LNHS Principal Sharon B. Angupa.
Ayong underscored the importance of partnership among stakeholders that played a big role in the completion of the project.
“You can see here the collective effort that has continued throughout the duration of our restoration project, and we are truly grateful to all our stakeholders,” he said.
The school recognized the stakeholders who took part in its restoration efforts: the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, Far Southeast Gold Resources Inc., Suyoc, Taneg and Nayak small-scale miners group, local government of Mankayan, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Camp Molintas in Buguias, Barangay Paco, and LNHS Alumni Association, among others.
Lepanto Mining spent over P1 million for the reconstruction, including a portion of Mankayan LGU’s Social Development Management Program allotment for 2019. The company also organized a benefit run during its 83rd anniversary celebration that generated over P200,000 used by the school for tile flooring.
“Part of the company’s social development management program and corporate social responsibility initiatives is upholding quality education. The pandemic may have affected our operations, but we continue to find ways to deliver our commitment in helping our community, particularly in terms of providing quality education to our community children,” Mendizabal said in his speech during the simple program to mark the school’s 68th founding anniversary.
Formerly called Congressional building, the three-classroom structure was built in 1998. It was reduced to ashes after fire broke out on Aug. 14, 2019 caused by faulty electrical wiring. – Press release
