Calling it a practical and citizen-driven solution that can significantly boost the country’s classroom construction efforts, the Department of Education (DepEd) has welcomed the launch of the new BDO HOPE Mastercard.

In a statement issued on Thursday, December 4, DepEd said the initiative—jointly developed by BDO Unibank Inc., Friends of Hope Inc. (HOPE), and DepEd—creates a sustainable funding stream in which every swipe of the new credit card generates donations for building classrooms in priority public schools.

Under the scheme, BDO donates P5 to HOPE for every P1,000 in qualified spending made using the card. DepEd added that a portion of annual fees—P200 for principal cards and P100 for supplementary cards—also goes directly to the classroom fund.

DepEd said it will help identify beneficiary schools and ensure all projects meet national classroom standards.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the program aligns with the government’s push to close school infrastructure gaps, supported by the historic 2026 education budget under the administration of President Marcos.

“Magsisilbi itong isa sa mga konkretong landas upang mabawasan ang classroom gap sa bansa—isang hamong maaaring abutin pa ng dekada kung hindi natin pagtutulungan (It will serve as one of the concrete paths to reduce the classroom gap in the country—a challenge that could take decades if we don't work together),” Angara said, highlighting how private sector partnerships can accelerate long-term solutions.

Angara also emphasized that the initiative is a “zero-cost-to-government” mechanism that empowers everyday Filipinos to support public education.

“Every swipe gives renewed hope to every learner,” he added.

BDO said it will shoulder all development, production, and marketing costs of the card, as well as manage the processing and remittance of donations.

“Every child deserves a safe and inspiring space to grow and achieve their aspirations,” said BDO Senior Vice President and Consumer Banking Group Marketing Head Ma. Nannette R. Regala.

HOPE, meanwhile, will exclusively deploy the funds to DepEd-validated classroom construction projects, building on its record of completing more than a hundred classrooms in underserved and disaster-affected communities.

DepEd said the BDO–HOPE Mastercard strengthens nationwide learning recovery by supporting the rapid expansion of safe, functional classrooms.

With enrollment numbers rising annually and many schools repeatedly damaged by typhoons and earthquakes, the partnership offers a timely and sustainable approach to addressing infrastructure gaps.

DepEd added that private sector participation enables communities waiting the longest to finally receive the learning spaces they urgently need.