A public school in Calasiao, Pangasinan fears the flooding it experiences during the wet season will get worse after the road outside it was raised higher than the school grounds.

In 2024, flooding at Balingit-Constantino Lasip Elementary School reached waist-deep.

Teachers and parents now worry that the situation may get worse since the road became elevated.

“Hanggang dito ‘yung baha. Baka lagpas na kami dito, lagpas tao. Ngayon, eto ‘yung kinakatakutan namin, kasi baka mas mataas pa sa ine-expect namin na baha ang darating this coming [rainy season],” Maricel Peralta, a teacher, said.

To protect school supplies and learning materials, teachers often raise classroom furniture and equipment when it floods.

Classes are suspended during floods, with students shifting to online or modular learning.

“Sana po matulungan n’yo po kami sa school kasi lagi po bumabaha. Gusto naman namin po ng bagong eskwelahan,” Cindy Fernandez, a parent, said.

Imelda Parayno, the school head, said they have already submitted a resolution and forwarded it to the Schools Division Office. The issue has reportedly reached the central office.

“Nakipag-ugnayan na rin kami kay Engineer Steve. Sabi niya, nakarating na raw sa Central Office ‘yung situation ng school namin,” Parayno said.

She also called on authorities to prioritize the construction of a high-rise building for the school.

“Hoping and praying na sana magawa na ‘yong high-rise building, kasi talagang importante dito ‘yong high-rise building because of the area,” she added.