By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) remains confident that it will achieve its target of completing 24,000 new classrooms before the end of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s term in 2028, citing sustained government funding and the continued rollout of major school infrastructure projects nationwide.
Ahead of the President’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), DepEd said the goal remains within reach as long as funding support continues and procurement schedules remain on track.
“DepEd remains confident that the target is achievable, provided that current funding levels are sustained and procurement timelines are maintained,” the department said in a statement.
Government records show that as of June 2026, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had completed 21,900 classrooms since the Marcos administration took office in 2022.
Construction efforts continue to accelerate, with another 6,294 classrooms worth P21.4 billion currently under construction or undergoing procurement this year. At the same time, 168 local government units are implementing projects to build an additional 6,617 classrooms valued at P21.2 billion, strengthening the government’s localized school-building program.
DepEd also reported significant progress in addressing the country’s classroom shortage. Since President Marcos delivered his 2025 SONA, the department has completed 3,364 classrooms, reducing the nationwide classroom backlog from 165,443 to 143,543.
Beyond infrastructure, the department highlighted measures aimed at improving teacher welfare and strengthening the education workforce.
A total of 969,520 teaching and non-teaching personnel received the P7,000 annual medical allowance in Fiscal Year 2025, while qualified teachers transferred due to service requirements continue to receive a P25,000 relocation allowance.
To address shortages in teaching personnel and reduce administrative burdens, the government created 32,916 new teaching positions for Fiscal Year 2026. DepEd has likewise hired 10,000 School Counselor Associates, 11,268 Administrative Officers II, 5,000 Project Development Officers, and 6,000 school principals to provide greater institutional support and allow teachers to focus more on classroom instruction.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has also strengthened institutional oversight of the nationwide classroom construction program by partnering with 168 local government units to ensure transparency, fiscal accountability, and the timely delivery of safe and quality learning facilities.
DepEd said these initiatives form part of the administration’s broader effort to modernize the country’s education system and provide Filipino learners with safer, more accessible, and conducive learning environments before the end of the Marcos administration.
ia/xf
