It also includes the rehabilitation and repair of classrooms.
On Monday, February 23, the Department of Education (DepEd) and City Local Government Units (LGUs) inked a landmark deal concerning the construction of classrooms nationwide.
The said activity saw city mayors from all over the country sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the department at Malacañan Palace in Manila—marking the first time that cities have formally united in a single and coordinated plan to address the country’s ongoing classroom shortage.
It is also the second batch of partnerships under the administration’s Nationwide Classroom Building Program, which seeks to urgently address the country’s classroom shortage, currently estimated at 144,758 units as of January 2026.
Under the agreement, city governments will oversee procurement, construction, and project management to ensure faster and more responsive implementation on the ground.
For its part, DepEd will set standards and validate compliance before final turnover and payment, with strict accountability measures include tranche-based fund releases, dedicated trust accounts, and mandatory monthly and quarterly reporting to the agency.
“Sa pamamagitan ng Memorandum of Agreement na nilagdaan ninyo ngayon, binibigyan natin ng mas malaking papel ang mga lungsod sa bansa,” said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., who added that the national government will ensure that these projects will not be stalled and will be built up to standards.
The chief executive also emphasized the need for the matter to be resolved as soon as possible.
“We cannot wait for decades, years, to give every student a safe and conducive classroom for effective learning,” he said. “Kapag kulang ang classroom, masikip ang klase. Nahahati sa ilang shift ang pasok ng mga estudyante. Mas nahihirapang matuto ang mga mag-aaral, mas nabibigatang magturo ang mga guro, at mas nangangamba ang mga magulang.”
Under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, PHP85.4 billion has been allocated for Basic Education Facilities, with PHP9.6 billion of that amount programmed for the construction of approximately 4,000 classrooms under the first tranche.
Meanwhile, 1,700 more will be covered through the newly-signed agreements worth PHP5.96 billion.
According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who pushed for a provision for more flexible classroom construction funding methods under the GAA, this collaboration will help expedite the delivery of classrooms through closer coordination with local governments that are better informed about the needs of their schools.
“Malaking hakbang ito upang mas mapabilis ang pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan,” said the Education Chief. “Alam ng ating mga lungsod kung saan pinakakailangan ang mga classroom, at sa pagtutulungan natin, mas mabibigyan natin ng ligtas at maayos na lugar ang ating mga mag-aaral at guro.”
Angara added that through this nationwide partnership, cities are empowered to take direct action to help build classrooms, reduce school overcrowding, and ensure that there are better and more suitable spaces for teaching and learning.
DepEd has also begun the process of exploring public-private partnerships and leasing arrangements to expedite the implementation of projects and improve the quality of learning in schools.
LGUs are also encouraged to establish Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS) to ensure that classes continue while classrooms are being constructed and during emergencies or disasters.
Beyond infrastructure, the government is also expanding the ARAL Program, accelerating the procurement of learning materials, and the expansion of career progression pathways for teachers.