FEATURE 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗚𝗼: 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝗦

April 30, 2026

By: Edmund D. Mendoza, PhD.

Chief, ESSD

𝗔 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

Education is about breaking barriers—and for the Indigenous learners of Agusan Marsh, those barriers include distance, isolation, and the challenges of living in a flood-prone environment. To address this, the Department of Education (DepEd) RO XIII Caraga, in partnership with UNICEF Philippines, has officially set in motion the establishment of a floating classroom at Dinagat Elementary School, Sitio Dinagat, Brgy. San Marcos, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. This groundbreaking initiative promises to bring quality education closer to communities where traditional classrooms are out of reach.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺

The concept was born out of a shared vision between Regional Director Maria Ines C. Asuncion and Municipal Mayor Sylvia Elorde. With the technical expertise of Edmund D. Mendoza, PhD., Chief ESSD, and Arch. Jhonfort Lumancas, TA IV, ESSD, the floating classroom design was carefully crafted to meet DepEd’s Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications. Engr. Cheto Galleros, TA IV, ESSD, further detailed the program of works and cost estimates, ensuring the project’s feasibility.

UNICEF representatives—including Akihiro Fushimi, Chief of Education, Nicholas Tenazas, Education Specialist, and Theresa Mokamad, Project Consultant—reviewed the plans and provided valuable recommendations. Their input expanded the design to accommodate three classrooms, making it suitable for multigrade learning. The project earned praise from UNICEF, with Tenazas affirming that it is “all systems go” for construction.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆

The initiative has garnered strong local support. Lorna P. Gayol, Chief CID, expressed the Division of Agusan del Sur’s full commitment to the project, alongside Henemias P. Espina, School Head of San Marcos ES, and Hipolito B. Lastimado, SEPS Soc Mob. Their collective dedication underscores the importance of collaboration in making education accessible to every learner, regardless of geography.

The floating classroom in Dinagat ES is more than an infrastructure project—it is a symbol of resilience, inclusivity, and hope. By bringing education to the waters of Agusan Marsh, DepEd Caraga and UNICEF Philippines are proving that no child should be left behind, and that learning can truly float above challenges.

𝗘𝗡𝗗

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For more information, contact (085) 221-1151, 0961-737-0873, or 0915-808-4734. Website: www.caraga.deped.gov.ph; email: caraga@deped.gov.ph; pau_caraga@deped.gov.ph.

#AllSystemsGo #FloatingClassroom #DinagatES #DepEdCaraga #UNICEFPhilippines #AgusanMarsh #BunawanAgusanDelSur #EducationForAll #NoChildLeftBehind #InclusiveEducation See more photos through this link