SMC Unveils New High School Building in Calatagan to Alleviate Nearby School Congestion

Calatagan, Batangas – San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and the municipal government of Calatagan recently inaugurated the Calatagan National High School 2.0, a new four-story building featuring 16 classrooms designed to alleviate classroom shortages and reduce congestion in the area.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang, Calatagan Mayor Oliver Palacio, and Batangas 1st District Representative Eric Buhain, with local officials and members of the local school board in attendance.

The new school, located in Barangay Sambungan, was constructed with funding from SMC and situated on land provided by the Calatagan local government unit (LGU).

Mayor Palacio expressed gratitude, stating, “The town of Calatagan is very thankful to Mr. Ramon S. Ang for this building. We have Mr. Ramon Ang as a partner — not only through his projects in Calatagan but also in the development of education in our town.”

Currently, 194 Grade 7 students are utilizing several classrooms in the new facility, which has a capacity for up to 560 students. Mayor Palacio envisions further expansion to accommodate up to 1,200 students through Grade 12.

The school serves students from seven barangays: Sambungan, Bucal, Carlosa, Encarnacion, Luya, Hukay, and Real. Its opening is expected to ease overcrowding at the nearby Lucsuhin National High School and provide students from adjacent barangays with a more convenient commute.

In his speech, Mr. Ang committed to building at least two additional schools in Calatagan to address classroom shortages and meet the Department of Education’s standards for teacher-to-classroom ratios.

Mayor Palacio highlighted the significance of the partnership between SMC and the local government in tackling these issues, emphasizing that education is crucial for developing a skilled workforce.

SMC’s ongoing commitment to Batangas is demonstrated through various projects, including a state-of-the-art cement plant, a food manufacturing complex, a major power facility, and expressways. These investments are seen as a significant boost to both the national and local economies.

Additionally, Ang highlighted SMC’s forthcoming Nasugbu-Bauan Expressway, which aims to enhance transportation of people and goods within the province and support local tourism.