14 provinces cleared for LGU-led classroom builds

Fourteen provinces have been given the green light to start building new classrooms, as the government rolls out a program that lets local governments take charge of the projects.

The Department of Education (DepEd) said provinces such as Ifugao, Sorsogon, Abra, Quezon, Pangasinan, Oriental Mindoro, and Southern Leyte may now proceed with bidding and construction after signing supplemental agreements under the Classroom Building Program.

Under the setup, local government units (LGUs) will serve as procuring entities—handling bidding, fund management, and project implementation—while DepEd provides technical oversight and validation.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the approach aligns with directives to accelerate the delivery of education infrastructure by tapping local capacity.

The 14 provinces comprise the first batch under the expanded program, which aims to address classroom shortages and overcrowding in public schools.

DepEd said preparatory steps have been completed, including technical workshops with LGUs on engineering designs, procurement timelines, and bidding procedures.

Some participating areas have also begun site validation to ensure project feasibility.

A total of 37 additional agreements are expected to be signed in the coming weeks as the program expands to more provinces and cities.

The initiative is supported by funding under the 2026 national budget.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the release of P17.27 billion for the construction of 4,960 classrooms nationwide, including furniture.

The program also allows collaboration with agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Corps of Engineers, and private sector partners.

Under the agreements, LGUs are required to open dedicated trust accounts for project funds and submit regular financial reports to ensure transparency.

DepEd will retain its role as technical authority, including reviewing designs and conducting inspections to ensure compliance with national standards.

Separately, the department has opened bidding for additional classrooms under its public-private partnership initiative, covering more than 3,500 classrooms across multiple regions.—MCG, GMA News