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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace: Those responsible for classroom construction delays will be held accountable

Palace: Those responsible for classroom construction delays will be held accountable

Published Oct 24, 2025 02:48 pm
A file photo shows a classroom divided into two to accommodate students. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) criticized the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for completing only 22 of its 1,700 target classrooms for 2025, calling it a sign of government neglect and urging the Marcos administration to prioritize education infrastructure and increase the budget. (Manila Bulletin)
A file photo shows a classroom divided into two to accommodate students. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) criticized the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for completing only 22 of its 1,700 target classrooms for 2025, calling it a sign of government neglect and urging the Marcos administration to prioritize education infrastructure and increase the budget. (Manila Bulletin)
Malacañang said the public can expect that there will be people who will be held accountable for the staggering shortfall of classroom construction in the country.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will investigate why only 22 classrooms out of the 1,7000 target were built so far.
"Titingnan po rin ni Secretary Vince (Dizon) kung bakit nagkaroon ng delay sa pagpapagawa ng classrooms (Secretary Vince is also looking into the reasons behind the delays in classroom construction)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Friday, Oct. 24.
"So, kung meron pong dapat managot dito, bakit napabayaan po dito, asahan po natin na may mananagot po (If there are those found responsible for the neglect, the public can expect that they will be held accountable)," Castro stressed.
The President has ordered the immediate resolution of the classroom shortage through a "new scheme" which authorizes the local government units (LGUs) to get direct funding for the building of classrooms in their jurisdiction.
According to Castro, a catch-up plan is already being developed and will be implemented.
During the distribution of ambulances in Butuan City on Friday, Marcos confirmed that he has already directed to implement the change in the system which originally gives the DPWH the responsibility to handle funds and build classrooms.
"Kaya’t para pabilisin natin (In order to expedite it), we are changing the system. From now on, lahat ng LGU na may kapasidad, na may kaya ida-download namin ang pondo sa LGU na. Kayo na ang magpatayo ng inyong eskuwelahan (all LGUs that have the capacity, will have an access to the fund. You will now be the ones building the classrooms)," Marcos said.
The President also expressed that he is confident that the LGUs will be able to implement the classroom projects, saying "they cannot possibly have ghost projects."
"Sisitahin kayong lahat. Hindi kayo puwedeng gawin substandard at pagka ginawa ninyo ‘yun araw-araw ay minumura kayo ng mga constituents ninyo kung hindi tama ang trabaho ninyo (All of you will be watched. You cannot produce substandard work because if you do, your constituents will criticize you every day for not doing your job properly)," Marcos said.
Meanwhile, the President has yet to see the copy of the Classroom Building Acceleration Program which will help decentralize classroom construction by expanding the mandate beyond the DPWH to include LGUs and non-government organizations with a proven track record.
The measure, if enacted, will help expedite the construction of much-needed classrooms.
Once the President sees, Castro said the President will study if certifying it as "urgent" would be necessary.
"Kung ano man po yung bill, sana mabigyan po agad ng kopya dahil hindi pa po ito naaaral. Kapag ka nabigyan na po ng kopya ng bill, tingnan po natin kung dapat na bang umaksyon ang Pangulo (As for the proposed bill, we hope a copy will be provided soon since it has yet to be reviewed. Once the President receives the copy, it will be carefully studied to determine if immediate action is necessary)," Castro said.
Senator Bam Aquino has called on the President to certify the measure as urgent, considering that only 22 classrooms were built so far.

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President Marcos classroom backlog Philippines Classroom Building Acceleration Program
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