DepEd backs Bam Aquino's classroom acceleration bill

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday expressed support for Senator Bam Aquino’s proposed Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) Act, saying the measure could help ease the massive shortage of 166,000 classrooms in public schools nationwide.

During the Senate hearing on DepEd’s proposed 2026 budget, Education Secretary Sonny Angara described the measure as a “breath of fresh air,” stressing that the classroom backlog has only grown worse over the past decade.

“We really look forward to the passage of that bill. It’s a breath of fresh air because seeing how over the last decade the classroom deficit has increased year on year,” Angara said.

(Talagang inaabangan namin ang pagpasa ng panukalang batas na ito. Isa itong breath of fresh air dahil nakita natin sa nakaraang dekada kung paano lumaki nang lumaki ang kakulangan sa classrooms.)

Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 121 seeks to allow local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) with proven track records to construct classrooms that meet DepEd standards, with funding support from the national government. Under the bill, DepEd would accredit and monitor these projects to ensure compliance.

Aquino said the committee report on the measure will soon be transmitted to the plenary, adding that he is optimistic it can be passed by December.

“If we finish it by December, then the classroom acceleration program can be added as an item in the GAA (General Appropriations Act) for 2026,” Aquino said.

(Kung matapos natin ito ng Disyembre, puwede na siyang maisama bilang item sa GAA para sa 2026.)

If the bill does not pass in time, Aquino added, Congress could still insert a special provision in the budget to initiate the program. He also mentioned groups such as the Chinese Chamber, Hope Foundation, and Angat Buhay as potential partners.

Angara, however, raised concerns about DepEd’s current capacity to implement the measure, noting that the agency has only 475 engineers nationwide to inspect and monitor school construction.

“Maybe we need to hire more engineering personnel or even employ the services of a project manager, because DepEd has no in-house capacity for this,” Angara said.

Aquino responded that additional personnel for monitoring will be included in the final version of the bill. He also emphasized that the CAP Act aims to reduce construction costs by using standardized classroom designs and pricing. According to Aquino, estimates from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were found to be 20 to 40 percent higher than rates validated by independent assessors.

Angara welcomed the reform, saying the cost efficiency would allow the government to maximize resources and build more classrooms for Filipino students.

“We welcome the spirit behind the measure, which is to drive down costs so we can build more,” he said.

(Tinatanggap namin ang diwa ng panukala, na pababain ang gastos para mas marami tayong maipatayo.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News