Provincial governments, through an expanded partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), will take the frontline role in building new public school facilities under the initial PHP9.6 billion classroom construction program.
In a news release on Thursday, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the partnership institutionalizes a long-standing plan to tap the capacity of local government units (LGUs) in delivering school infrastructure with the support of Congress.
“The strengthened collaboration of DepEd and LGUs aims to maximize resources, shorten construction timelines, and ensure that more students gain access to safe and adequate classrooms nationwide,” Angara said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during the partnership signing in Malacañang on Wednesday, said that of the PHP9.6 billion programmed for the first tranche, PHP4.1 billion has been earmarked for provincial governments for the construction of about 1,200 classrooms.
DepEd will also procure around 2,800 prefabricated classrooms worth over PHP5 billion as part of the first phase of the program, which will deliver 4,000 new classrooms nationwide to help improve daily learning and teaching conditions.
Marcos said that synchronizing national and local government efforts would produce faster, more visible improvements in education services.
He also reaffirmed that education remains the administration’s top priority for the remainder of his term.
Angara underscored that local chief executives are well-equipped to execute construction projects efficiently due to their on-the-ground presence.
Meanwhile, provincial leaders, including Quirino Governor and national president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) Dax Cua, signaled strong backing for the initiative.
He said the program is an important step in strengthening the country’s education system.
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo “Jun” Tamayo Jr., president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), emphasized that coordinated action between national and local governments can yield concrete gains and benefit learners. (PNA)
