The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday, January 21, announced that it has finalized a new memorandum of agreement (MOA) with local government units (LGUs) to accelerate the construction, repair, and improvement of public school classrooms nationwide under the 2026 national budget.

In a statement, DepEd said the move aims to ease classroom congestion and improve learning conditions for both learners and teachers. Moreover, the department noted that the agreement advances President Marcos’ directive to fast-track the delivery of basic education facilities.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the new MOA strengthens coordination between DepEd and LGUs in identifying priority schools, mobilizing resources, and implementing classroom projects that meet national education and infrastructure standards while remaining responsive to local needs.

“Mas mabilis kaming makakakilos kapag katuwang ang LGU, dahil sila ang mas nakakaalam kung alin ang pinaka-kailangan ng kanilang mga paaralan (We can act more quickly when we work with LGUs because they know best what their schools need),” Angara said.

“Ginagawa natin itong malinaw at maayos kasama ang mga liga ng LGU para siguradong ang pondo ay mabilis na nagiging silid-aralan para sa mga bata at guro (We are making this clear and organized together with LGU leagues to ensure that funds are swiftly transformed into classrooms for children and teachers),” he added.

DepEd said the MOA is anchored on provisions of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which authorize the department to partner with qualified LGUs for the delivery of basic education facilities.

The agreement outlines clearer roles, funding arrangements, timelines, and monitoring mechanisms to speed up classroom delivery while ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, DepEd explained.

Angara said DepEd is coordinating with major LGU associations — including the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), and the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) — to finalize implementation details and align local governments on standards, processes, and timelines for classroom construction and rehabilitation.

Under the agreement, LGUs may serve as implementing partners using various modalities, including their regular procurement systems and different funding mixes from national government allocations, the national tax allotment, and special education funds (SEF).

DepEd said covered projects include new classroom construction, repairs of existing facilities, and other learning space improvements.

The department added that it will provide standardized classroom designs, technical frameworks, and project oversight to ensure compliance with Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications, as well as government audit and accountability rules.

DepEd noted that it will retain authority to review project plans, validate completed classrooms, and require corrective action when standards are not met.

The MOA also includes safeguards to ensure transparency, proper fund utilization, and compliance with Commission on Audit regulations, with monitoring mechanisms in place throughout project implementation, DepEd said.

Angara stressed that the strengthened partnership with LGUs is expected to help fast-track classroom delivery as the government works to bridge the country’s estimated 165,000-classroom shortage, ultimately providing safer, less crowded, and more conducive learning environments for millions of public school learners and their teachers.