ILOILO City – Moving to help ease the country’s persistent classroom shortage, Iloilo City has formally joined the Department of Education’s (DepEd) nationwide classroom construction program, committing local Special Education Fund (SEF) resources to fast-track the building of new learning facilities in partnership with the national government.
Mayor Raisa Treñas represented the city during the recent ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) dubbed “Constructing Our Future: DepEd and Cities for a Nationwide Classroom Building Program” at Malacañang Palace, an event graced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
The agreement brings together DepEd and partner cities across the country in a coordinated push to accelerate classroom construction through shared funding and streamlined implementation — a move aimed at narrowing the classroom gap that continues to burden public schools.
“I am honored to represent Iloilo City in the MOA Signing for ‘Constructing Our Future: DepEd and Cities for a Nationwide Classroom Building Program,’” Treñas said.
She described the pact as a decisive step toward strengthening national-local collaboration in addressing overcrowded schools and limited learning spaces.
“This agreement between the Department of Education and partner cities reflects a strong and shared commitment to address the classroom gap through faster, more innovative, and collaborative approaches. It sends a clear message that when national and local governments move together, we can accelerate solutions that truly matter to our learners,” she said.
Under the partnership, funding for classroom construction will come from the city’s Special Education Fund alongside allocations from DepEd, allowing projects to move more swiftly while ensuring long-term sustainability and quality standards.
“Through the combined strength of the city’s Special Education Fund and the funds downloaded by DepEd, we are assured that this initiative will not only build classrooms faster but also sustain quality learning spaces for years to come,” the mayor said.
Treñas emphasized that expanding access to quality education through improved facilities has long been a priority of the Iloilo City government.
“It has long been our aspiration to expand access to quality education through better and more modern learning environments,” she added.
She also thanked the national government for its continued support and reiterated the city’s readiness to implement the program alongside DepEd.
“Iloilo City stands ready to do its part — working hand in hand with our national partners — to build more classrooms, uplift our schools, and secure a brighter future for every Ilonggo learner,” Treñas said./PN
