EDCOM 2 cites gaps in classroom allocations

MANILA, Philippines — The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) found gaps in the distribution of classroom allocations, with some municipalities with the largest shortages allegedly receiving fewer classrooms.

EDCOM 2 said the issue was raised during the Oct. 16 Senate committee on finance hearing on the Department of Education (DepEd)’s proposed budget for 2027.

EDCOM 2 reportedly discovered that in DepEd’s 2026 classroom allocation, only 45.2 percent of the 332 local governments with the largest estimated classroom shortages were among the top recipients of planned classroom allocations.

EDCOM 2 co-chairman Sen. Bam Aquino said DepEd and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should accelerate classroom construction and ensure that allocations translate into completed facilities.

For this year, DepEd has initiated multiple channels to speed up classroom construction, targeting to complete 18,950 classrooms. It tapped the DPWH, partnered with provincial and city governments, civil society organizations and Public-Private Partnership Programs (PPPs).

EDCOM 2 executive director Karol Mark Yee praised DepEd for its “extraordinary efforts in mobilizing different routes for classroom construction. However, we also highlight the need for strategic and responsive allocations to ensure that these resources go where they are most needed.”

The commission reported that seven of the 10 municipalities with the highest funds for 2026 classroom construction received allocations exceeding their estimated classroom shortages based on 2023 data. Meanwhile, several municipalities with substantial deficits remained short of the classrooms needed to accommodate their learners.

“For instance, Maragondon, Cavite was allocated 272 classrooms against an estimated shortage of just 64. In contrast, Tanza, Cavite, received 448 classrooms against a shortage of a whopping 869, while Naic, Cavite was allocated 356 against a deficit of 631,” it explained.

EDCOM 2 also raised concerns over delays in classroom construction, particularly under DPWH-led implementation.

Out of the P21.45-billion allocation for 6,000 DPWH-led classrooms under the FY 2026 program, only P1.87 billion, covering 533 classrooms, allegedly reached the award or near-award stage during the hearing. Another P7 billion, covering approximately 2,000 classrooms, had been advertised for procurement.

DPWH Undersecretary Lara Esquibil pointed to failed biddings and higher construction costs amid rising fuel prices as factors affecting the implementation.

EDCOM 2 is reportedly creating a classroom tracker for transparency on where the funds are going.

For 2027, the National Expenditure Program (NEP) reportedly proposes P30.55 billion for classroom construction, with an additional request of P23.5 billion from DepEd for the construction of 2,385 new classrooms, 69 Last Mile School buildings, 500 Learning Continuity Spaces, as well as repair of 3,500 classrooms, among others. — Neil Jayson Servallos