President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wants to provide local government units with direct funding for building classrooms across the country.

A memorandum of agreement among the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Education, and local government units will be created and signed to ensure this policy.

“In line with the goal of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide direct funding for local governments to build classrooms in the country, a memorandum of agreement is set to be signed among the DPWH, the DepEd, and local government units so that this policy could be implemented.”

“The President wants to immediately address the shortage in classrooms to ensure the welfare of students. Slow-paced work is not allowed, that’s the directive of the President.”

The local government units will handle the funds, while the DPWH and DepEd will monitor the construction of classrooms.

“The plan here is that the LGUs will be given funds and the building of classrooms will be monitored by the DPWH and the DepEd.”

A total of 2,370 classrooms need to be built under the MOA.

As of September 30, nearly 200 classrooms will be finished by December 2025 while 822 classrooms are expected to be completed by the second quarter of next year.

On Tuesday, the Education Secretary accused the DPWH of focusing too much on flood control projects, after it was revealed that only 22 out of 1,000 classrooms targeted for this year have been completed.

He pointed out that the sluggish pace of classroom construction underscores the need to reform the current system, where only the DPWH is authorized to implement DepEd-funded school building projects.

For his part, the Public Works Secretary vowed that the agency would look for a way to fast-track the construction of classrooms and would coordinate with the DepEd regarding the matter.

Department of Public Works and Highways

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the primary engineering and construction arm of the Philippine government, responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of public infrastructure projects. It was formally established in 1868 during the Spanish colonial period and has evolved through various reorganizations, most notably after World War II and the post-Marcos era, to focus on national roads, bridges, and flood control systems to support national development.

Department of Education

The United States Department of Education is a cabinet-level department of the federal government, established in 1867 to collect information on schools and teaching. Its primary mission is to promote student achievement and ensure equal access to education by enforcing federal educational laws regarding privacy and civil rights.

local government units

“Local government units” are administrative bodies that manage towns, cities, or regions within a country. Their history is rooted in ancient practices of local administration, such as the city-states of Greece or the Roman municipal system, evolving over centuries to decentralize power from national governments. Today, they provide essential public services, enforce local ordinances, and represent community interests.

DPWH

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of national infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and flood control systems. It was formally established in 1868 during the Spanish colonial period and has since evolved through various reorganizations to become the primary agency for public works in the country.

DepEd

“DepEd” refers to the Philippines’ Department of Education, the primary government agency responsible for ensuring access to, promoting equity in, and improving the quality of basic education. It was formally established as the Department of Education in 2001 through the Governance of Basic Education Act, but its origins trace back to the country’s First Republic in the late 19th century. The department manages the country’s K-12 educational system, overseeing both public and private schools.

LGUs

“LGUs” stands for Local Government Units, which are administrative divisions in the Philippines responsible for delivering local services and governance. Established under the 1991 Local Government Code, they decentralized power from the national government, granting provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays greater autonomy. This structure aims to promote grassroots democracy and more responsive public service.

MOA

The MOA (Museum of Anthropology) at the University of British Columbia in Canada is a world-renowned museum showcasing world arts and cultures, with a particular emphasis on the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest. It was established in 1949 and is famous for its dramatic collection of monumental totem poles and carvings, housed in a spectacular building designed by Arthur Erickson. The museum’s architecture and collections work together to highlight the history, artistry, and living cultures of Indigenous peoples.

Education Secretary

An “Education Secretary” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a senior government position. The role, such as the United States Secretary of Education, was established to lead the Department of Education, which became a cabinet-level agency in 1980. The secretary’s primary responsibility is to oversee federal education policy, programs, and funding.