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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bam Aquino disappointed with DPWH's measly 22 classroom production this year

Bam Aquino disappointed with DPWH's measly 22 classroom production this year

Published Oct 20, 2025 03:06 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Bam Aquino expressed dismay after the DPWH reported completing just 22 out of 1,700 target classrooms for 2025. He warned that the classroom backlog could reach 200,000 by 2028 if construction delays persist.
Senator Bam Aquino expressed dismay after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) revealed on Monday, Oct. 20, that it completed the construction of just 22 classrooms for 2025.
Senator Bam Aquino (Facebook)
Senator Bam Aquino (Facebook)
“You can’t explain that. Even just saying it, sumasakit iyong puso ko na 22 lang ang nagawang classroom (my heart aches that only 22 classrooms were built),” Aquino said during the DPWH budget hearing after DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon reported that only 22 out of the 1,700 target classrooms have been completed.
At this rate, Aquino said the classroom backlog will reach 200,000 by 2028.
“Ang (The) estimated current classroom backlog natin ay (is) 146,000. By 2028, if we continue at this rate, aabot tayo ng (it will reach) 200,000,” Aquino said, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
Dizon said the DPWH will look into the cause of the delay and find a way to fast-track the construction of classrooms.
He also expressed his full support for Aquino’s Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) Act, which was recently certified as a priority measure by President Marcos as a means to address the massive classroom backlog in public schools.
“We are in full support of this measure, especially now na dalawampu’t dalawa pa lang ang nagagawa ng departamento ngayong taon. Kailangan po talaga natin ang tulong,” Dizon said,
He added that the agency is also looking at partnerships with local government units (LGUs) to hasten classroom construction.
“At this rate, it's virtually impossible na magawa ng DPWH itong kailangan nating mga classrooms (for the DPWH to finish the number of classrooms that we need),” he admitted.
The proposed bill aims to decentralize classroom construction by expanding the mandate beyond DPWH to include LGUs and non-government organizations with a proven track record. They can then build classrooms in compliance with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) standards and guidelines within their jurisdictions.

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Bam Aquino Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Vince Dizon classroom construction
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