Senator Bong Go co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1482, or the proposed Classroom Building Acceleration Program Act, calling for a nationwide effort to resolve the long-standing shortage of classrooms that continues to hinder the quality of education for Filipino learners.
As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, Go said the measure reflects his vision to empower the next generation through stronger investment in education.
The veteran legislator emphasized that youth development cannot be separated from access to adequate learning facilities.
“That is why I have pushed for measures that uplift the welfare of students, educators, and their families. Ang kabataan po ang pag-asa ng ating bayan, at bukod sa kanilang kalusugan — edukasyon ang dapat na maging prayoridad,” the seasoned lawmaker stressed.
The senator highlighted that the lack of classrooms remains one of the biggest problems confronting the education sector, citing alarming data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) that reported a backlog of 165,000 classrooms nationwide as of 2023. He said this shortage has had a direct impact on the learning outcomes of millions of young Filipinos.
“There is an existing backlog of 165,000 classrooms nationwide.”
“Hindi po lingid sa kaalaman ng marami na ang kakulangan sa mga silid-aralan ang isa sa mga pinakamalaking problema na kinakaharap ng sektor ng edukasyon,” Go stressed. “For the year 2023, EDCOM 2 reported that there is an existing backlog of 165,000 classrooms nationwide, which greatly affects the learning outcomes of our young Filipino learners.”
He added that during his visits across the country, local school officials would consistently raise concerns over damaged or insufficient classrooms.
“Kahit saan po ako pumunta sa magkabilang sulok ng Pilipinas, pagbaba ko sa mga eskwelahan, ang nilalapit ng mga teachers o mga principals ay kakulangan talaga ng classroom. Pinapakita nila yung mga sira-sira nilang mga classroom,” Go recalled.
He lamented that while classrooms remain lacking, huge portions of the national budget continue to go to projects with questionable impact. Go particularly pointed out that a significant portion of funds had been allocated to flood control projects, which, if redirected or properly optimized, could have financed the construction of hundreds of thousands of classrooms and other essential infrastructure.
“Nakakalungkot pong isipin na nasasayang po ang pondo para sa mga flood-control projects. Sana po nilaan na lamang ito sa sektor ng kalusugan o kaya dito sa sektor ng edukasyon para makapagpatayo tayo ng mga silid-aralan or classrooms,” Go said.
He then cited data showing that the P1.2 trillion budget for flood control from 2022 to 2025 could have financed between 300,000 to 600,000 classrooms, or alternatively, 60,000 evacuation centers, 80,000 health centers, or even 800 tertiary hospitals.
“Sa P1.2 trillion na budget para sa flood control mula 2022 hanggang 2025, aabot sa 300,000 to 600,000 classrooms sana ang naipatayo.”
“Sa P1.2 trillion na budget para sa flood control mula 2022 hanggang 2025, aabot sa 300,000 to 600,000 classrooms sana ang naipatayo, or 60,000 evacuation centers — batas na po ito through Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, or 80,000 health centers, or even 800 tertiary hospitals ang pwedeng maipapatayo sa mga pondong ito,” Go explained.
He said that the Classroom Building Acceleration Program Act upholds the State’s constitutional duty to provide quality education for all and called for unity among various sectors to solve the shortage through collaboration between the national government, local governments, and private entities.
“This proposed measure stays true to the State’s constitutional mandate to provide quality education to each and every Filipino learner,” Go stated.
“Dapat lamang po na magkaisa ang iba’t ibang sektor ng ating lipunan upang mapunan ang kakulangan sa mga silid-aralan ng ating bansa. With this bill, the participation of different vital sectors of our society will be encouraged, thereby strengthening the partnership between the National Government, Local Government Units, private sectors and civil society groups. Malaking tulong po dito yung LGU dahil mas alam nila ang kakulangan ng classrooms po sa mga lugar nila,” he added.
Go closed his speech by reiterating his full support for the measure and expressed his intention to be made one of its co-authors, reaffirming his continued commitment to promoting the welfare of students and educators.
“Mr. President, I manifest my full support for the passage of this significant measure, and I also respectfully submit to this chamber my interest in being made one of the co-authors of this important piece of legislation,” he said.
Through this measure, Go seeks to accelerate the construction of classrooms across the country, ensuring that Filipino students have safe, conducive, and well-equipped spaces for learning — a vision he consistently upholds as part of his broader advocacy for youth empowerment and nation-building through education.
