SEN. LOREN Legarda expressed her concerns over the Philippines’ massive classroom backlog which has long been a challenge for the country’s education sector.
During the budget deliberation of the Department of Education (DepEd) and its attached agencies on Tuesday, September 16, Legarda said the backlog is estimated at around 165,000 nationwide.
“This backlog is not just a statistic; it translates to overcrowded classrooms, shifting schedules, and diminished learning opportunities for our students,” she said.
Legarda, however, acknowledged and commended the DepEd led by Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara for its proactive efforts.
“Since September 2024 – barely two months after Secretary Sonny Angara assumed office, and even before the filing of the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program – DepEd has already been working on solutions, not mere band-aid remedies, but forward-looking initiatives that seek to provide long-term and sustainable relief to our schools,” the senator stated.
She added that DepEd has pursued public-private partnerships and local government unit involvement – opening the way for innovative, climate-resilient, and scalable approaches to classroom construction and rehabilitation.
The senator, meanwhile, asked Angara whether classroom construction would remain solely under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), or DepEd would consider tapping multiple stakeholders to participate in the implementation.
Angara, in response, said DepEd would pursue a multi-sectoral approach in the construction of classrooms.
This year, around February and March, the DepEd has already proposed for flexibility to implement these initiatives. In fact, the Education department has already submitted proposals to the Department of Budget and Management for inclusion in the National Expenditure Program.
“These are clear indications that DepEd is not standing still but actively laying the groundwork for sustainable solutions to this persistent challenge,” Legarda said./PN