The two departments are working to address the matter.
This week, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have intensified their partnership concerning the construction and renovation of school facilities nationwide.
The said tie-up, formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the two agencies, aims to directly address the shortage of classrooms in the country.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon led the ceremonial signing of the agreement, which has set the unified framework for the planning, design, and construction of basic education facilities.
Through this strengthened collaboration, the current shortage of over 144,000 classrooms is being eyed to be addressed through the faster implementation of the Basic Education Facilities Program (BEFP).
Under the MOA, the construction, replacement, repair, and rehabilitation of school buildings from kindergarten to senior high school are covered by the partnership. Moreover, it includes technical-vocational laboratories, facilities for Last Mile Schools, and Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS).
Disability access features were also incorporated into the designs to ensure inclusivity, as well as facilities for water and sanitation.
“Our goal is to immediately address the shortage and ensure that there is a safe space for every student,” said Angara. “We have also strengthened the relationship between DepEd and DPWH. We ensure that every project is fast, well-organized, and truly focused on the real needs of the schools.”
For his part, Dizon emphasized, “It’s a testament, I think, to what the President (Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.) has instructed Sec. Sonny and I to do, which is really to act fast. That’s the objective of all of us here. Let’s act fast.”
Under the agreement, DepEd will provide a school infrastructure master list of priority schools by May 2026, ensure the readiness of the sites, and obtain the necessary environmental clearances.
The DPWH will then manage all bidding and construction, conduct joint site validations, and ensure that all buildings are fully safe and properly serviceable, including the correction of any deficiencies identified by DepEd.
For the efficient implementation of the projects, DepEd will transfer the funds to the DPWH Regional Offices in three installments: the first 50% of the total funds after the approval of the MOA and Program of Works (POW), followed by 30% after 75% disbursement of the first funds, and the remaining balance based on progress and contract submission.
As part of the transparency measures, the DPWH is also required to submit monthly status reports of projects to DepEd’s Schools Division Offices and quarterly progress updates to the DepEd Central Office.