President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called on local government units (LGUs) to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in procurement as they assume a greater role in the construction of public school classrooms nationwide.
The President issued the reminder on Wednesday during the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Education (DepEd) and LGUs aimed at fast-tracking the construction of much-needed learning spaces across the country. While LGUs will have an expanded role in implementing school building projects, the initiative remains under national government oversight.
The partnership seeks to streamline processes, minimize bureaucratic delays, and accelerate the delivery of classrooms to address the country’s persistent shortage.
In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the President’s directive serves as a safeguard against irregularities while expediting project implementation.
The President reminded LGU officials that although they have been granted authority, budget allocations, and decision-making power over procurement, such responsibility does not exempt projects from scrutiny and national oversight. The classroom construction program remains a joint undertaking between DepEd and LGUs, with the President closely monitoring its implementation to ensure both efficiency and integrity.
During the MOA signing ceremony, President Marcos underscored that empowering LGUs to take on a larger implementation role will help simplify procedures and significantly speed up the construction of school facilities.
Under the first tranche of the agreement, the government aims to construct approximately 4,000 new classrooms nationwide.
As of December 2025, the Philippines faces a classroom shortage of about 145,000 units, highlighting the urgency of coordinated national and local action.
The DepEd-LGU partnership is backed by the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which allocated ₱85.39 billion for Basic Education Facilities, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s education infrastructure.
The Marcos administration continues to prioritize investments in education to ensure that Filipino learners have access to safe, adequate, and conducive learning environments.
