In order to solve the lack of facilities in the basoc education sector.
On Thursday, February 5, Department of Education (DepEd), led by Secretary Sonny Angara, said that the agency is actively working to complete the unfinished classrooms around the country.
In the past years, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been the key implementing body for the construction of classrooms.
“Batay sa pinakahuling datos, lagpas 8,000 classroom projects ang sabay-sabay na tinatrabaho para sa 2024 at 2025,” noted Angara.
He added, “Nasa 3,600 classrooms na ang natapos ng DPWH, at ang natitira ay patuloy na tinututukan para agad makumpleto at magamit ng ating mga mag-aaral,” and further noted that both departments are working together to resolve the matter.
DepEd also said that it has a list of classroom projects yet to be finished from the years prior and to solve that, it been given by the Congress PHP2.282 billion for the completion of 2,067 classrooms in 2026.
At present, DepEd at DPWH are simultaneously conducting nationwide validation in 384 schools with unfinished or soon-to-be completed classroom projects.
It is being done to check on the status of each project, remaining works needed to be done, funding, and the preparation of the place to identify which of these must be finished in the soonest possible time.
For his part, Secretary Vince Dizon said during an inspection at the Revilla High School in Cavite, “‘Yun nga ‘yung problema eh, kailangan talaga mas proactive ‘yung national [government] sa paghahanap nung mga unfinished [projects], tapos hanapan ng solusyon kung papaano matatapos.“
He added, “Kasi minsan nag-iisip na ng bagong proyekto, andami-dami pang hindi tapos. ‘Di ba, nagpapatong-patong eh.”
The Public Works chief emphasized: “Ang best way forward ay magimbentaryo ng lahat ng mga ganyan [unfinished school buildings]. Andaming ganyan all over the country. Imbentaryuhin at yun muna ang i-priority lagyan ng pondo.”
Meanwhile, Sec. Angara said that to further expedite the process, they have begun implementing a flexible scheme that would tap various partners, such as the private sector and the local governments units, aside from the DPWH.
Last February 4, Angara also personally met with mayors in the National Capital Region, where he presented the rules in the construction of school building under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
“Mayroon ding naka-program para sa 2026, bagama’t patuloy pa itong pinag-uusapan. Ayon kay Secretary Vince Dizon, humigit-kumulang 1,500 hanggang 2,000 silid-aralan ang target na maipatayo sa ilalim ng new construction para sa 2026,” added the DepEd chief.
