DepEd gets P2 B for new classrooms

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has turned over to the Department of Education (DepEd) another P2 billion for the construction of 1,500 classrooms across the country.

Pagcor chairman Cristino Naguiat Jr. yesterday signed the memorandum of agreement for the donation with Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.

“Working closely with the education sector helped us see the plight of public schools in many more remote areas,” said Naguiat.

“While the classrooms donated by Pagcor improved the learning conditions of many students, numerous buildings are still needed to completely solve classroom shortage,” he added.

With its latest donation, Pagcor has now provided DepEd with P7 billion as part of its “Matuwid na Daan sa Silid-Aralan” project.

“They have been our biggest and most consistent partner in rebuilding and ensuring that the classrooms for our students can outlast the Aquino administration and maybe our own lifetime,” Luistro said during the turnover. “It has become so big that we had to bring in the Department of Public Works and Highways.”

The first two phases of the donation, — P1 billion in 2011 and P2 billion last year — funded the construction of over 900 classrooms in 201 sites across the country. Another 630 classrooms are still under construction.

The third phase – worth another P2 billion donated in December  2013 – will be used to finance the construction of 1,300 classrooms in Yolanda-affected areas.

DepEd Undersecretary for finance and administration Francisco Varela said the entire P2 billion was fully programmed, with the projects either ongoing or already procured.

He committed the completion of most of the classrooms funded by the 2013 and 2014 Pagcor donations by the opening of schoolyears 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Singson said that they previously encountered delays due to the need for design approval and the conduct of tests to ensure that the identified locations of the new classrooms are safe and not in geo-hazard areas.

“I think we should be able to do the second batch a little better,” Singson added.

Under the agreement, the DPWH will be responsible for the construction of the classrooms, while Pagcor will be in charge of monitoring the progress of the project.

DepEd, meanwhile, will provide teachers and support staff, the classroom furniture, and be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the buildings.