Sen. Bam Aquino on Thursday called for the immediate rollout of the PHP65 billion fund for classroom construction under the 2026 national budget to accelerate efforts to address the country’s school infrastructure shortage.

Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said the Department of Education (DepEd) should promptly download the funds to local government units (LGUs) so the construction of new classrooms can begin as soon as possible.

“Mahalagang maibaba sa lalong madaling panahon ang pondo sa ating mga katuwang na lokal na pamahalaan para agad nang masimulan ang pagtatayo ng mga classroom (It is important that the funds be downloaded as soon as possible to our partner local governments so the construction of classrooms can begin immediately),” Aquino said in a statement.

“Sa ganitong paraan, mas mapapabilis ang pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan at mas maraming estudyante ang mabibigyan ng maayos at ligtas na lugar para matuto (In this way, the construction of classrooms will be accelerated and more students will have a proper and safe place to learn),” he added.

Aquino said the speedy rollout of the fund is vital to addressing the country’s estimated 165,000-classroom backlog while helping generate employment through the construction of new school buildings nationwide.

Under the 2026 national budget, DepEd has flexibility to partner with LGUs, civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations with proven track records in building classrooms, subject to the agency’s standards and guidelines.

The Senate has also approved Aquino’s proposed Classroom-Building Acceleration Program Act, which would allow LGUs and qualified organizations to directly undertake classroom construction in their respective areas while streamlining the process and setting price ceilings to prevent corruption. (PNA)