Constructing Our Future: MOA Signing of the DepEd and Provinces for a Nationwide Classroom Building

Описание: Constructing Our Future: Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Provinces for a Nationwide Classroom Building
Heroes Hall, Malacañan Palace
February 11, 2026

“The challenges that hound our education sector are immense. But now we have the opportunity to correct at least part of those problems to help our students learn in a better environment,” said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the Constructing Our Future: Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Provinces for a Nationwide Classroom Building at Heroes Hall in Malacañan Palace on February 11, 2026.

In his speech, the President emphasized that the partnership formalized through the MOA aims to ensure that every Filipino child has access to a safe and decent classroom. He noted that classroom shortages remain a long-standing problem affecting both learners and teachers, citing DepEd data showing a shortage of more than 145,170 classrooms as of December 2025.

Due to this shortage, many schools have been forced to adopt shifting class schedules or hold classes in temporary spaces such as basketball courts and open areas. “And this is the gap that we must address urgently,” the President stated.

To accelerate solutions, the Administration is enhancing partnerships with local government units (LGUs) and simplifying implementation processes. Under the agreement, DepEd will establish technical standards, provide classroom designs and allocate funding, while LGUs will lead procurement and construction. The President said this strategy will reduce delays and speed up classroom delivery nationwide.

“For students, it means classrooms will be completed sooner. For our teachers, it translates to a safer, a more conducive environment that they can teach in. And for parents, this gives them peace of mind, knowing that their children are learning in better facilities,” the President said. The partnership is supported by the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which allocated Php85.39 billion for Basic Education Facilities. The MOA guarantees accountability, as final approval for classroom turnover will not be granted without written confirmation from DepEd verifying compliance with national standards.

For the first phase of the nationwide classroom construction program, the government has allocated Php9.6 billion, including Php4.1 billion for provincial governments to build around 1,200 classrooms and Php5 billion for the procurement of approximately 2,800 pre-fabricated classrooms. Overall, the initial phase is expected to deliver about 4,000 new classrooms nationwide. DepEd is also exploring a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme to further expand classroom construction.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the Chief Executive stressed the importance of enhancing digital connectivity in schools. While nearly 34,000 public schools already have internet access, thousands remain unconnected or depend only on mobile data. The Administration plans to connect over 14,000 unserved and underserved schools, especially in remote areas, while continuing to bolster learning recovery initiatives like the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program.

“Mga kababayan, naniniwala ako na kapag nagtutulungan ang pambansang pamahalaan at ang lokal na pamahalaan, mas malinaw, mas mabilis, at mas ramdam ng mamamayan ang resulta, lalong-lalo na sa edukasyon,” President Marcos Jr. said in closing, calling for continued collaboration to ensure quality education under Bagong Pilipinas.

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