City governments all over the country have joined the Department of Education (DepEd) and the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the unified move to accelerate the construction of classrooms.
This is the first time cities formally committed to a single coordinated plan to solve the shortage of classrooms nationwide.
The city mayors from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with DepEd at Malacañan Palace. Under the MOA, the cities committed to facilitate the approval of permits, identify the schools that need priority and assist in the construction of modern and safe classrooms in their area.
The President thanked the city governments for responding to the call to solve the classroom shortage.
“Tiyakin natin na ang bawat sentimo na pinaghirapan ng ating mga kababayan ay gagamitin sa tama.”
“Tiyakin nating hindi maaantala ang mga proyekto. Tiyakin nating de-kalidad ang mga silid-aralan. Tiyakin natin na ang bawat sentimo na pinaghirapan ng ating mga kababayan ay gagamitin sa tama,” Marcos said.
DepEd has earlier signed a partnership with provincial governments as part of the national strategy to solve the 165,000 classroom shortage.
According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who pushed for a provision to make the construction of classrooms flexible under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the MOA with help accelerate the delivery of classrooms through close coordination with local governments which are more knowledgeable of the needs of schools.
“Alam ng ating mga lungsod kung saan pinakakailangan ang mga classroom.”
“Malaking hakbang ito upang mas mapabilis ang pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan. 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 said.
Marcos gives priority to education under his administration. For 2026, the government has allotted a total of P85 billion for the construction and rehabilitationyon para sa pagpapatayo at pagkukumpuni ng mga pasilidad ng basic education.
DepEd is also studying other options, like public-private partnerships and leasing arrangements, to haster na delivery of projects and improve the learning in schools.
LGUs are also encouraged to establish Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS) to ensure classes are not disrupted while there is construction of classrooms or when there are emergencies or disasters.
Angara added that through this nationwide partnership, city governments are empowered to directly help in the construction of classrooms, reducing the crowding in schools and ensuring there is enough space for teaching and learning.
Teachers and students witnessed the signing of the agreement. They will directly benefit from the partnership of a faster delivery of classrooms and better space to study.
