Constructing Our Future: MOA Signing of DepEd and Cities for a Nationwide Classroom Building Program

Описание: Constructing Our Future: Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing of Department of Education (DepEd) and Cities for a Nationwide Classroom Building Program
Ceremonial Hall, Malacañan Palace
February 23, 2026


“This is the second batch of partnerships for our nationwide classroom building program. It forms part of our sustained effort to address the classroom gap… We cannot wait for decades, years, to give every student a safe and conducive classroom for effective learning,” expressed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the presentation of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the Department of Education (DepEd) and local government leaders from across the country for the Nationwide Classroom Building, held at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañan Palace.

In his speech, the President emphasized that the MOA strengthens the role of city governments in accelerating the delivery of much-needed classrooms across the country, citing DepEd data showing a shortage of more than 144,758 classrooms as of January 2026.

“Ito ngayon ay ang partnership natin sa ating local government units isa ‘yan sa – isa sa mga strategy natin para mapabilis ang pagpatayo ng classroom… Sa pamamagitan ng Memorandum of Agreement na nilagdaan ninyo ngayon, binibigyan natin ng mas malaking papel ang mga lungsod sa bansa,” he said.

Under the agreement, participating city governments will lead in procurement, construction and project management, while the Department will establish technical standards, provide approved classroom designs, and ensure each facility is durable, safe and compliant with national standards.

“Alam naman natin na ang pondo ng taumbayan ay kailangang ingatan kaya malinaw din ang pananagutan sa sistemang itinayo natin dito. Ilalabas ang pondo sa tatlong bahagi o tatlong tranche… At ang mahalaga, walang final turnover or final payment na mangyayari hangga’t na-validate na ng ating DepEd,” the Chief Executive added. LGUs are required to maintain a separate trust account and submit monthly and quarterly progress reports to DepEd.

The MOA is funded by the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which allocates over Php85 billion for Basic Education Facilities. For the first tranche, Php9.6 billion has been programmed to build approximately 4,000 classrooms nationwide. It will also fund the construction of 1,700 additional classrooms, estimated to cost Php5.96 billion.

The Administration is also expanding public-private partnerships (PPPs) to further accelerate the development of school infrastructure.

Apart from this initiative, the President highlighted programs in place to strengthen learning measures, including the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program to improve students’ competencies in essential learning areas, the expedited procurement of textbooks to ensure that students have learning materials by the opening of classes, and enhanced career progression opportunities for teachers.

“Kaya’t sa ating mga lokal na pamahalaan, hinihikayat ko kayo na gamitin ang pagkakataong ito at ang pondong ipinagkatiwala sa atin ng bayan nang mas may pananagutan… Dahil hindi lamang tayo nagtatayo ng silid-aralan; nagtatayo tayo ng isang matibay na kinabukasan para sa ating kabataan at para sa ating minamahal na Pilipinas. Because every classroom we build gives our children a better future. Ito po ang binubuo para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his remarks.


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