Education Secretary Sonny Angara is pushing for more public-private partnerships (PPP) to speed up the construction of classrooms in public schools nationwide.

In a statement Wednesday, Angara said the move will help the Department of Education (DepEd) address classroom backlogs.

“Ang tinutulak natin ngayon is mag-PPP tayo (We are now pushing for the PPP), public-private partnerships. Ibig sabihin, malakihan, bulto-bulto, 1,000 classrooms. Magpapa-bid tayo ng isang libong school buildings at i-o-offer natin sa private sector na magko-construct (It means it’s big, in-bulk, 1,000 classrooms. We will bid out 1,000 school buildings and offer it to the private sector for construction),” he said.

The DepEd chief also urged the public to help raise awareness on the tax benefits for companies and enterprises joining the Adopt-A-School program.

“Baka hindi alam noong ibang negosyante o ibang nagdo-donate, ibang charitable organizations, ipaalam niyo sa kanila na kapag nagdo-donate sila ng school building, maide-deduct nila doon sa kanilang (Maybe other businessmen or donors, other charitable organizations are still unaware, let them know that once they donate school buildings, it will be deducted in their) taxable income,” Angara said.

Angara earlier said the DepEd will work with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to expedite procurement procedures and construction.

According to the DepEd’s latest data, the country has a backlog of around 159,000 classrooms, which increases by 12,000 annually. (PNA)