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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Gov't to build nearly 5,000 classrooms—DBM

Gov't to build nearly 5,000 classrooms—DBM

Published May 17, 2023 08:16 am
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the government is planning to construct nearly 5,000 classrooms nationwide in line with President Marcos’ commitment to close the gaps in school infrastructure. In a statement, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said on Wednesday, May 17, that they have released P15.15 billion for the construction of 4,912 classrooms in 1,194 sites across the country. “The timely release of these funds, a joint request of the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) and the Department of Education (DepEd), demonstrates that the PBBM administration does not hold back on investing in education,” Pangandaman said. “We need to build and repair classrooms to keep up with increasing enrollment in our public schools,” she added. Of the total released funds, P15.02 billion will be used to construct, replace, and complete kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school buildings as well as technical vocational laboratories. The funding also covers the installation or replacement of disability access facilities, the construction of water and sanitation facilities, and site improvement. On the other hand, the remaining P131.4 million will be used for Engineering and Administrative Overhead (EAO) expenses. This includes the hiring of individuals; conduct of preliminary and detailed engineering activities; pre-construction activities; construction project management; testing and quality control; acquisition, rehabilitation, and repair of related equipment and parts, among others. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte earlier identified classroom shortage as the most urgent education issue and has committed to closing gaps in school infrastructure. “Our schoolchildren need to be in an environment conducive to learning and fun. They need safe, clean, and comfortable classrooms to study well. They are our best investment,”  Pangandaman said. To recall, President Marcos in his budget message vowed to prioritize the construction of new classrooms under DepEd’s Basic Education Facilities (BEF) as face-to-face classes started to resume.
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