ABG Modular tests rapid-build classrooms after GenSan quake

Insider Spotlight

• ABG Modular completed five prefabricated classrooms for an earthquake-hit General Santos City school in just 14 days
• The classrooms are designed to withstand magnitude 8.0 earthquakes and winds of up to 340 kph
• ABG sees modular construction helping address the Philippines’ backlog of more than 166,000 classrooms
  
  
  

ABG Modular Development Corp. is putting its rapid-build technology to the test in public education, delivering disaster-resilient classrooms to a General Santos City school affected by a powerful earthquake.

The wholly owned subsidiary of listed Asiabest Group International Inc. handed over a single-storey building containing five prefabricated classrooms to Romana C. Acharon Central Elementary School on Aug. 3, giving the school additional capacity as damaged facilities undergo structural assessment.

Why it matters

The project offers ABG a showcase for prefabricated concrete modular systems as the Philippines grapples with a classroom shortage and the recurring challenge of rebuilding schools after natural disasters.

Romana C. Acharon Central Elementary School serves about 4,460 learners and was forced to adopt blended learning and shifting schedules after several classrooms were damaged by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck near Sarangani in June.

The classrooms can accommodate as many as 45 learners each and were delivered with school furniture, the company said in a release. ABG said the structures are designed to withstand a magnitude 8.0 earthquake and winds of up to 340 kph.

Built for speed

The entire implementation cycle — from fabrication and transport to construction, finishing and furnishing — was completed within 14 days. The modular components were manufactured at the Palanas Precast Plant in Leyte through ABG Modular's partnership with Concrete Stone Corp., while Industry Movers Corp. handled transportation to General Santos City.

Romana C. Acharon Central Elementary School principal III Harry B. Villanueva said the initial five-day construction schedule was shortened to three days, helping the school regain classroom capacity sooner.

“Our work in GenSan demonstrates how modular construction can address urgent classroom needs without compromising durability and structural integrity,” ABG Modular president Engr. Alfredo Comendador Jr. said.

The bigger picture

ABG Modular sees the technology complementing conventional construction as the country faces a backlog of more than 166,000 classrooms. Standardized, locally manufactured components could allow classrooms to be deployed faster across multiple locations, particularly in disaster-hit communities.

Parent ABG is expected to discuss recent developments and its strategic direction, including the expansion of its modular construction business, during its annual stockholders' meeting on Aug. 11.  —Princess Daisy C. Ominga| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma