Proposed 2026 budget to speed up classroom construction — Gatchalian

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian assured Friday that the proposed 2026 national budget would significantly accelerate classroom construction, paving the way to address the backlog in basic education facilities.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, said the 2026 national budget will give the Department of Education (DepEd) flexibility when it comes to the modalities for classroom construction, including public-private partnerships.

"Hindi lamang tayo naglaan ng mas malaking pondo para sa pagpapatayo ng mga classrooms. Tiniyak din nating mapapabilis ito sa pamamagitan ng aktibong pakikilahok ng iba't ibang sektor," he said in a statement.

(Not only did we allocate more funds for the construction of classrooms, but we also ensured that this will be accelerated through the active participation of various sectors.)

According to Gatchalian's office, P85 billion has been under the proposed 2026 budget for the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms. 

Of this amount, P65.9 billion was earmarked for the construction, replacement, and completion of kindergarten to secondary school buildings, as well as technical-vocational laboratories.

Open for partnerships

The DepEd may also enter into partnerships with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), certain local government units, civil society organizations, non-government organizations, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Corps of Engineers to allow the simultaneous construction of classrooms nationwide.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara earlier said the proposed 2026 national budget was designed to ensure that government spending produces clear and measurable gains in student learning.

The proposed P6.79-trillion national spending program for 2026 keeps education as the government's top investment priority. 

The budget bill ratified by both Houses of Congress is currently undergoing final review by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., ahead of his expected signing early this month.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) earlier said the shortage of 165,000 classrooms across the country was forcing kindergartners to attend school as early as dawn—or stay home altogether. — VDV, GMA Integrated News