The goal is to address the shortage of school facilities.
Under the latest guidelines issued by the Department of Education (DepEd), it seeks to strengthen oversight and expedite monitoring to ensure that projects under the localized classroom building program will adhere to timelines, digital validation, and strict fiscal standards.
This, as 79 local government units (LGUs) have begun the bidding process for school infrastructure, with the first phase of this partnership being an investment equivalent to PHP9.3 billion and is set to build 2,632 classrooms in over 600 schools nationwide.
Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that while empowering local leaders makes addressing the classroom shortage faster and more consistent, it must still be accompanied by full integrity and clean governance.
“Malaki ang maitutulong ng pakikipagtulungan nating ito sa mga lokal na pamahalaan upang mapabilis ang pagpapatayo ng mga pasilidad,” he said. “Hindi kayang lutasin ng DepEd nang mag-isa ang kakulangan sa silid-aralan, kaya napakahalaga ng tulong ng mga LGU upang masigurong ligtas at komportable ang mga paaralan ng ating mga mag-aaral.”
The DepEd chief also said that these guidelines were set not to add more paperworks, but to expedite releasing of funds while also ensuring the projects are up to standard and built without anomalies.
“Inilatag natin ang mga panuntunang ito hindi para maging pabigat o magpatagal sa proseso, kundi para pabilisin ang paglabas ng pondo habang tinitiyak na malinis, de-kalidad, at walang anomalya ang ating mga proyekto,” the Education chief added.
DepEd will oversee the projects through the newly established Joint Project Implementation and Construction Committee (PICC).
Modern technology will also be used to monitor the projects, with LGUs are now required to use INSIGHTED, a real-time digital validation and monitoring system designed to track the progress of construction and avoid any delays.
All projects handled by LGUs must also comply with DepEd’s technical standards, safety protocols, and the provisions of the New Government Procurement Act.
Furthermore, a milestone-based fiscal structure is implemented to ensure proper use of funds as the budget for the project will be released in three strict installments, which will depend on the actual and proven progress of construction.
A “green lane” financial mechanism is also provided for to expedite and streamline the release of funds for LGUs that comply with the guidelines.
Under these regulations, qualified LGUs are free to choose whether to hire local contractors through competitive bidding, or to use their own city and provincial engineers for construction, as long as they comply with national standards.
Secretary Angara emphasized that while empowering local leaders makes addressing the classroom shortage faster and more consistent, it must still be accompanied by full integrity and clean governance.
Meanwhile, the localized program is in line with other major government infrastructure projects, including DepEd’s PHP 36.227 billion funding for the construction of new classrooms and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) School Infrastructure Program.