The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, November 28, said the record P85.4-billion allocation for 2026 basic education facilities will fast-track the construction of 24,000 new classrooms nationwide, aligning with President Marcos’ vision for modernized learning spaces and DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara’s push for long-term infrastructure reforms.

In a statement, DepEd hailed the Senate’s endorsement of a historic P85.41-billion allocation for Basic Education Facilities in the 2026 national budget—calling it a decisive affirmation of President Marcos’s vision for a resilient, modern, and learner-centered education system.

DepEd noted that the approved amount—more than triple the current P28.06-billion budget—signals the most substantial support yet for the administration’s push to close the classroom gap and accelerate school infrastructure development.

Angara said the unprecedented increase reflects growing confidence in DepEd’s ongoing reforms to streamline procurement, strengthen partnerships, and diversify construction modalities.

“Malinaw ang mensahe na handang tumaya ang pamahalaan para sa kabataan. Basta may pondo at reporma, mas mabilis nating maipapatayo ang mga paaralan (The message is clear: the government is ready to invest in the youth. As long as there are funds and reforms, we can build schools more quickly),” Angara said.

A key feature of the Senate’s approval is its endorsement of multiple construction pathways—including partnerships with LGUs, collaboration with CSOs, classroom leasing, PPP arrangements, and selective implementation through the DPWH.

During the recent Senate hearing, lawmakers emphasized the urgency of addressing what was described as a “bucket we keep filling but one that keeps leaking,” referring to the recurring loss of classrooms due to condemned structures, disaster damage, and rising annual enrollment.

Senate Committee on Basic Education chair Bam Aquino and Senate Finance Committee chair Win Gatchalian said the diverse modalities will allow DepEd to test innovative approaches each year and scale the fastest and most cost-efficient models.

Gatchalian also clarified that DepEd’s budget utilization rate should no longer be judged solely by school-building projects implemented by the DPWH, which previously caused major delays and misinterpretations of DepEd’s performance. He credited the agency for improving long-standing procurement bottlenecks affecting textbooks, furniture, and vouchers.

Under the Senate-endorsed budget, funding for classroom construction, replacement, tech-voc laboratories, and water and sanitation facilities will rise to P65.98 billion—supporting 24,527 new classrooms with furniture; over 1 million learners projected to benefit; 11,886 classrooms targeted for repair and rehabilitation with P7.73 billion; and 25,451 new or replacement furniture sets through P3.69 billion.

DepEd also secured support for complementary programs that improve learning environments and expand access to inclusive education: P1-billion Library Hubs Program—72 hubs nationwide; expansion of Inclusive Learning Resource Centers to 16 sites; and P2 billion for Medium-Rise School Buildings, enabling completion of three multi-storey facilities in highly congested areas.

Angara said the Senate-approved funding gives the education department room to accelerate infrastructure delivery and respond to the country’s long-standing classroom backlog.

“What the Senate approved gives us room to build faster, repair smarter, and deliver better,” Angara said.

“Kung sabay-sabay tayong kikilos—pamahalaan, LGUs, komunidad—mas mapapabilis ang pagbabago sa ating mga paaralan (If we act together—the government, LGUs, and communities—the changes in our schools will come more quickly),” he added.

With the budget moving to the bicameral conference committee, DepEd expressed optimism that the Senate’s forward-looking investments will be carried into the final General Appropriations Act.

The agency said the historic increase is a critical step toward ensuring that school infrastructure nationwide finally matches the ambition of PBBM’s education agenda and the needs of Filipino learners. 

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