The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Wednesday, Dec. 4, that Education Secretary Sonny Angara is exploring public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a key solution to address the perennial problem of classroom backlogs.
In a statement, DepEd said that Angara, during a recent discussion with school leaders and teachers in La Paz, Tarlac, highlighted his priorities, including constructing new school buildings, adding classrooms, and equipping learners and teachers with digital devices.
“Ang tinutulak natin ngayon is mag-PPP tayo, public-private partnerships (What we are pushing now is to implement PPPs, public-private partnerships),” Angara said.
“Ibig sabihin, malakihan, bulto-bulto, 1,000 classrooms. Magpapa-bid tayo ng isang libong school buildings at i-o-offer natin sa private sector na magko-construct (This means large-scale projects, bulk constructions, 1,000 classrooms. We will bid out a thousand school buildings and offer them to the private sector for construction),” he added.
Adopt-A-School Program
With limited resources and a prolonged classroom shortage, Angara also emphasized raising awareness about the Adopt-A-School Program, highlighting the law’s tax incentives for participating companies or enterprises.
“Baka hindi alam ng ibang negosyante o ibang nagdo-donate, ibang charitable organizations, ipaalam niyo sa kanila na kapag nagdo-donate sila ng school building, maide-deduct nila iyon mula sa kanilang taxable income (Perhaps some business owners, donors, or charitable organizations are not aware. Let them know that when they donate a school building, they can deduct it from their taxable income),” he added.
“Marami lang hindi nakakaalam na may batas na ganoon. So with the help of the community, sana maipaalam natin sa kanila (Many people are unaware that such a law exists. So with the help of the community, hopefully, we can inform them),” he added.
Focus on digital technology
Meanwhile, Angara emphasized the agency's focus on prioritizing digital technology to improve learning opportunities and introduce innovations for both learners and teachers.
With the upcoming Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025 tests, Sec. Angara urged education officials to strengthen preparations through practice tests, emphasizing the development of learners' critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
The meeting in Tarlac was attended by DepEd Regional Director Ronnie Mallari, PhD, CESO V, La Paz Mayor Venustiano D. Jordan, and other local government officials.
In addition to his dialogue with public school teachers, Angara visited Tarlac to lead the blessing and inauguration of the extended building at Tarlac State University.
The building, which Angara funded in 2023 while he was still a senator, was named in honor of his late father, Senator Edgardo J. Angara.