Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Pupils cross elevated metal walkways at the Doña Damiana Deleon Macam Memorial Elementary School in Calumpit, Bulacan on June 8, 2026. The platforms were built to provide students with safe access to classrooms and allow them to attend class even during heavy flooding. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

CALUMPIT SCHOOL- FLOODING

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178479422799120260608-calumpit-school-opening-flooding-JC0217.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pupils cross elevated metal walkways at the Doña Damiana Deleon Macam Memorial Elementary School in Calumpit, Bulacan on June 8, 2026. The platforms were built to provide students with safe access to classrooms and allow them to attend class even during heavy flooding.<em> Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — There will be classroom construction in 100 percent of provinces, 87 percent of cities, and 75 percent of municipalities in the country this year.</p><p>This was the assurance of the Department of Education (DepEd) during Thursday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.</p><p>A budget of P67 billion has been allotted for classroom construction, which includes last mile schools, learning continuity spaces and acquisition of existing buildings.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/27/decades-old-plight-newer-challenges-loom-as-philippines-enters-new-school-year-1006">ews Decades-old plight, newer challenges loom as Philippines enters new school year</a></div><p>DepEd Undersecretary Filemon Javier said almost P24 billion has been released to them, but downloading the fund to local government units (LGUs) will be done once there is a resolution to award the first tranche.</p><p>Classrooms will be constructed through different modalities, specifically through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), local government units, civil society organizations or non-government organizations, and DepEd.</p><p>DPWH Undersecretary Lara Marisse Esquibil said they are committing to finish 5,000 classrooms within the year using the 2025 budget and that of previous years.</p><p>An additional 6,000 classrooms will be implemented by DPWH under the 2026 national budget,</p><p>Classrooms will also be built through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) starting in the middle or latter part of 2027, the budget of which will come from a different source. </p><p>Some local government units, however, aired their concerns.</p><p>“Nakakapagtaka mahigit kalahati na ng taon wala pa kong nakikita sa lugar ko na na-implement ng DepEd. But we need to find ways. Nakakadismaya din po dahil imagine nasayang yung panahon ng tag-araw para mag-construct ng mga classrooms,” said Infanta, Quezon Mayor Lord Arnel Ruanto.</p><p>According to Paete, Laguna Mayor Ronald Cosico, they have two schools which, in the past 30 years, have not had a new school building built.</p><p>One LGU that has received funding is Biliran. Governor Rogelio Espina said construction of 66 classrooms has begun since July 6.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>160,000 GAP </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>DepEd asked for understanding from local officials and said it is difficult to address the 160,000 classroom backlog.</p><p>Committee Chairperson Senator Bam Aquino recognized the situation and said the target for now is 25,000 classrooms constructed out of the 160,000.</p><p>“The gap is 160,000 and it could be more if the validation might even show, it might be even more,” Aquino said.</p><p>“This is really a 10 year, if I may say odyssey, a ten year odyssey. Because it’s really difficult, ang hirap po talaga ng sitwasyon natin pero ang mahalaga is we’re consistent, we’re effective every year and we’re consistent in the funding,” he added. “Many times sinasabi ko po, this will take three presidents.”</p><p>Aquino told DepEd to publish in their website the list of classrooms to be constructed to inform LGUs and get their input. DepEd said they will comply and will improve their communication lines.</p><p>Aquino also asked the department to hasten the signing of Memorandum of Agreements with LGUs. Only 258 out of roughly 1,400 LGUs have MOAs.</p><p>The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), meanwhile, recommended the prioritization of classroom construction in areas with severe congestion, which, EDCOM found, are the areas with the highest cases of bullying and school violence.</p><p>Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian gave a reminder about funding utilization.</p><p>“Blessing na malaking budget pero challenge din na gastusin ang malaking budget but that will be an important gauge pagdating ng budget cycle dahil tinitignan din natin utilization,” Gatchalian said.</p><p>A technical working group will be created to check on the progress of classroom construction.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OkiDmObDTR4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FbReeAdqIQw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>DepEd asked for understanding from local officials and said it is difficult to address the 160,000 classroom backlog.</p>

DepEd asked for understanding from local officials and said it is difficult to address the 160,000 classroom backlog.

DepEd guarantees classroom construction in majority of LGUs within the year

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

DepEd guarantees classroom construction in majority of LGUs within the year

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 23, 2026 04:17 PM PHT

Read More:

deped

classroom

construction

backlog

bam aquino

win gatchalian

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.