The Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) strengthening the construction and rehabilitation of school facilities to solve the classroom backlogs nationwide.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon signed the agreement for a unified framework in the planning, design and construction of educational facilities all over the country.
The collaboration aims to solve the 144,000 classroom shortage by implementing the Basic Education Facilities Program (BEFP).
“Dahil sa malinaw na layunin ni President Bongbong Marcos na palakasin ang edukasyon, pinapabilis natin ang pagpapatayo ng dekalidad na classrooms. Target nating matugunan agad ang kakulangan at masiguro na may ligtas na espasyo para sa bawat mag-aaral,” Angara said.
“Tinitiyak nating bawat proyekto ay mabilis, maayos, at talagang nakatutok sa tunay na pangangailangan ng mga paaralan.”
“Mas pinalakas din natin ang ugnayan ng DepEd at DPWH. Tinitiyak nating bawat proyekto ay mabilis, maayos, at talagang nakatutok sa tunay na pangangailangan ng mga paaralan,” the education chief added.
Under the MOA, kindergarten to senior high school classrooms will be constructed, repaired and rehabilitated. It will also include technical-vocational laboratories, facilities for Last Mile Schools, and Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS).
“It’s a testament, I think, to what the President has instructed Sec. Sonny and I do, which is really to act fast. ‘Yon naman ang objective naman nating lahat dito. Bilisan natin,” Dizon emphasized.
“I think this will be a record-breaking year for the classroom constructions.”
“We’re saying it’s record-breaking in terms of funding and in terms of starting it,” the public works chief said. “I think this will be a record-breaking year for the classroom constructions.”
The design will also include disability access features to ensure inclusivity, as well as facilities for water and sanitation.
Under the agreement, DepEd will be the one to provide the school infrastructure master list of priority schools before the end of Mayo 2026, to prepare the chosen venue and secure the needed environmental clearances.
The DPWH, on the other hand, will manage the bidding and construction, conduct joint site validations, and make sure all buildings are safe and well-made.
To efficiently enforce the project, DepEd will transfer the funds to DPWH Regional Offices in three stages: 50% of the total fund will be given upon approval of the MOA and Program of Works (POW), 30% after 75% of thr initial fund has been disbursed and the remaining balance will be based on the progress and submission of contract.
For transparency, DPWH will be required to submit monthly status report on the projects to Schools Division Offices and quarterly progress updates to the DepEd Central Office.
Based on the combined planning and implementation, DepEd and DPWH aim to deliver the classrooms on time, while reinforcing accountability in all the stages of the project.
