Sign in Subscribe
Local government

Marcos Administration Shifts Classroom Construction Funds to Local Governments

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

President Marcos' administration has decided to grant local government units (LGUs) control over classroom construction funds, aiming to accelerate the construction of classrooms nationwide. The agreement was announced by Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, who stated that LGUs will receive funds to implement construction, while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Education (DepEd) will oversee and monitor progress. The DPWH, under its previous leadership, had completed only 22 facilities this year, despite targeting 1,700 classrooms, sparking criticism from Education Secretary Sonny Angara. Angara has vowed to give funds to LGUs, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Corps of Engineers, and private sector to build 40,000 classrooms by 2028, addressing the country's widespread classroom shortage of 146,000.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Marcos administration is shifting control of classroom construction funds to local government units (LGUs) to accelerate construction nationwide.
  • LGUs will receive funds to implement construction, while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Education (DepEd) will oversee and monitor progress.
  • The DPWH had completed only 22 facilities this year out of a target of 1,700, sparking criticism from Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
  • Angara has vowed to give funds to LGUs, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Corps of Engineers, and private sector to build 40,000 classrooms by 2028.
  • The country has a widespread classroom shortage of 146,000 classrooms.
  • The Department of Education will receive a record-high P1.28 trillion in 2026, with a focus on addressing the classroom shortage.
  • The basic education facilities program will receive P63.2 billion in 2026, aimed at building 25,200 new and rehabilitated classrooms.
  • The Alliance of Concerned Teachers has expressed skepticism towards the proposed Classroom-Building Acceleration Program, citing concerns over the lack of accountability and transparency in the process.

Statistics:

  • 2,370 classrooms are being targeted for completion by next year.
  • 1,700 classrooms were targeted for completion by the DPWH this year, but only 22 were completed.
  • 146,000 is the number of classrooms needed to address the country's classroom shortage.
  • P1.28 trillion is the budget allocated to the Department of Education for 2026, a record-high allocation.
  • P63.2 billion will be allocated for the basic education facilities program in 2026.
  • 25,200 is the number of new and rehabilitated classrooms that will be built under the basic education facilities program in 2026.
  • 40,000 is the number of classrooms that Education Secretary Sonny Angara aims to build by 2028.

Sources:

  • Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, quoted in "Marcos wants LGUs to handle classroom construction funds"
  • Education Secretary Sonny Angara, quoted in "Angara vows to give funds to LGUs, AFP engineers to build 40,000 classrooms"
  • Department of Education, cited in "DepEd announces wellness break for learners and teachers"
  • Alliance of Concerned Teachers, quoted in "Teachers' union slams 'irresponsible' DepEd move"
  • House of Representatives, cited in "House approves P1.28 trillion education budget for 2026"
  • Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, quoted in "Suansing defends increase in education budget"
  • DepEd, cited in "DepEd clarifies health break, in-service training schedules"
  • Rep. Leandro Leviste, quoted in "Why state engineers shun building classrooms in public schools"

Read more