The Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units (LGUs) on Wednesday, February 11, formalized a historic partnership aimed at accelerating classroom construction and addressing the country’s persistent shortage of learning spaces.

In a statement, DepEd said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial receipt of the signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at Malacañang, with representatives from more than 90 percent of provinces nationwide backing the initiative to fast-track school infrastructure projects.

The agreement marks a major policy shift that gives LGUs a greater role in implementing classroom construction, rehabilitation, and replacement projects, while DepEd strengthens its oversight and standard-setting functions.

Under the MOA, DepEd said LGUs will take the lead in constructing, replacing, rehabilitating, and improving classrooms within their respective jurisdictions.

This includes managing procurement processes, supervising contractors, and overseeing day-to-day project implementation in compliance with national procurement laws and building regulations, DepEd explained.

DepEd, on the other hand, will identify priority schools based on need, provide standard classroom designs and technical specifications, and ensure compliance with national safety, accessibility, and quality standards. It will also review project plans, validate completed works, and monitor overall implementation.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara described the MOA as a decisive move toward coordinated action to address the country’s classroom shortage.

“These signatures mark the end of working in silos,” Angara said. “They mark the beginning of shared responsibility,” he added.

The agreement sets a clear delineation of responsibilities between DepEd and LGUs to avoid delays caused by overlapping mandates and coordination gaps — long-standing issues in public school infrastructure delivery.

“Ang kasunduang ito ang malinaw naming pangako na wala nang classroom na maaantala dahil sa pag-aalinlangan, at wala nang edukasyong mapuputol dahil sa kakulangan ng ugnayan (This agreement is our clear commitment that no classroom will be delayed because of hesitation, and no education will be interrupted due to a lack of coordination),” Angara said.

DepEd said governors representing key local government leagues signed the MOA, including officials from the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), led by Quirino Governor Dax Cua, and the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), headed by South Cotabato Governor Jun Tamayo.

Provincial leaders welcomed the clarified framework, saying it would significantly improve project turnaround time and ensure the faster delivery of much-needed classrooms, DepEd added.

The DepEd–LGU MOA also outlines shared responsibilities for funding and the long-term maintenance of school buildings.

It mandates strict monitoring, reporting, and transparency requirements to safeguard public funds and ensure the timely completion of projects, DepEd said.

DepEd noted that under the agreement, LGUs are required to regularly submit financial and physical accomplishment reports, comply with key performance indicators, and implement public disclosure measures to strengthen accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

Angara stressed that the partnership complements existing national school building programs and maximizes local implementation capacity while maintaining national standards.

DepEd said the initiative aligns with the President’s directive to prioritize education as a cornerstone of national development.

By combining national oversight with local execution, the DepEd–LGU partnership aims to deliver accessible, safe, and conducive learning environments for millions of Filipino learners.

As the country continues to grapple with classroom shortages and aging school facilities, the President said the agreement represents a significant step toward closing the infrastructure gap and ensuring that no learner is left behind due to a lack of adequate school space.

“By giving LGUs a greater role in implementation, we streamline the process, reduce delays, and move faster in building the schools that our children need,” the President said. 

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