With only days before school starts, Mangaldan National High School is racing to repair more than 200 damaged chairs, while also dealing with rain-soaked grounds after recent downpours.

Inside the school’s storage area, piles of broken plastic armchairs continue to arrive. Most were damaged during the previous school year, and until now, more are being collected.

The lack of chairs for students is among the top concerns for Mangaldan National High School as the new school year opens on Monday, June 16.

“Sa ngayon, ramdam na ‘yung kakulangan ng upuan pero gagawan natin ’yan ng paraan,” Principal Eduardo Castillo said.

To address the issue, the school has started repairing over 200 wooden armchairs to ensure students have enough seating when classes begin.

“Nilalagay lahat ’yan sa maintenance para maayos. Tapos after na maayos, ibibigay din kaagad sa mga teacher,” Castillo added.

Students also see the repairs as a good move.

“I-repair ang mga armchair para magamit pa,” Joco de Vera, a student, said.

Aside from the furniture issue, the school’s mini-forest was also flooded due to continuous rains in recent days.

The school administration plans to coordinate with the local government to fill the area with soil and prevent future flooding.

Although some parts of the campus still have standing water, school officials assured that students will have safe and accessible pathways once classes begin.