MLES GABALDON BUILDING WILL UNDERGO RESTORATION

The Gabaldon Building at Manuel Lugod ES which was one of he oldest school building in Gingoog City is slated to undergo a restoration job if things go smoothly. Last March the heritage consultant of DepED, Architect Melvin Patawaran, visited MLES and assessed the structure of the building. He said the building stood a good chance of being restored and he will include it in this year's budget allocation for heritage buildings around the country.

Architect Patawaran disclosed that Gabaldon buildings were design for maximum confort for its occupants. The large awning capiz windows ensure that no rainwater enters the building during rainy days. Heigh ceilings ensure good air circulation inside the building. There are usually seven rooms in such a building, four corner of which were intended for classroom use while the center four have movable partitions for meetings and other special gatherings. Architect.

At present the windows were changed from capiz awning windows to glass jalousies and the comfort rooms no longer the octagonal design of yesteryears.

A US Army Corps of Egineers survey marker is still intact at the stair landing although the coordinates are no longer visible due to repeated hammering of treasure hunters who surreptitiously enter the premises, believing that a hidden treasure lies beneath it.

The Northt side of the Gabaldon buildings

The US Army Corps of Engineer suvey marker at the stair landing

The structural members are mostly intact

The south western side of the building

The capiz transom are still intact although overpainted in white

Another shot at the trusses

This initiative came into being during the Annual Convention of Division Physical Facilities Coordinators in Cagayan de Oro City. Upon the proddings of Engr. Neil Espenido, the DepED Engineer assigned to Gingoog and Camiguin, Mr. Abanil, the Division Physical Facilities Coordinator approached the in-charge of Gabaldon restoration, Architect Melvin Patawaran. He asked if the Gabaldon Building in his Division could be included in the budget allocation. Architgect Patwaran asked Mr. Abanil to send pictures of the building through email. There ensued several email correspondences culminating in the visit of Architect Patawaran to personally assess the state of the Gabaldon building in Gingoog City.
Hopefully the Gabaldon Building at Manuel Lugod will be included in this year's restoration budget.