The national government, through the Department of Education (DepEd), will fund the construction of 16 classrooms worth PHP52.5 million for senior high school students at Progreso Village National High School in this highly urbanized city.

In a press conference on Thursday, Mayor Greg Gasataya said he signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara at the DepEd central office on Wednesday.

“This is the first time the national government will partner with the local government unit (LGU) for the project implementation. The DepEd will download the funds to the LGU for the construction. We truly appreciate the efforts of the national government,” he said.

Gasataya said the Nationwide Classroom Construction Program is aligned with the priority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to empower LGUs and strengthen the country’s education sector.

Located within the city’s relocation site in Barangay Vista Alegre, the Progreso Village National High School serves more than 1,000 learners.

The proposed 16-classroom building is expected to accommodate 350 to 500 additional students, helping address classroom shortages and improve access to quality education.

“For several years now, students in the area have been attending senior high school in Granada, Estefania, and other barangays due to the lack of classrooms. Through the MOA we personally signed, we can make education more accessible for them and reduce the daily cost of transportation for their families,” Gasataya said.

Bacolod City Schools Division Superintendent Dennis Develos said the additional classrooms are a timely intervention for the incoming Grade 11 students of Progreso Village National High School.

“This comes at the right time for our Grade 10 learners who will soon enroll in senior high school. The additional classrooms will expand the school’s capacity, make education more accessible to the community, and help reduce student dropout rates,” he added.

Under the agreement for the Nationwide Classroom Building Program, LGUs carry out the construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of classrooms within their jurisdictions, including procurement and on-site implementation, in accordance with national standards.

The DepEd identifies priority schools, issues standard classroom designs and technical specifications, and oversees the process through plan review, validation of completed works, and compliance checks on safety, accessibility, and quality standards. (PNA)