A major boost to basic education is on the horizon as P68 billion in next year’s budget is set to bankroll the construction of up to 27,000 classrooms, according to Senator Win Gatchalian.

The Senate Committee on Finance has added P19.3 billion on top of the P48.7 billion allotted under the General Appropriations Bill (House Bill No. 4058). The current allocation of P68 billion is almost five times the P15.25 billion originally allotted under the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, also emphasized that the proposed 2026 national budget will give the Department of Education (DepEd) flexibility when it comes to classroom construction. The DepEd will be allowed to enter into agreements with local government units (LGUs) and civil society organizations for building classrooms. 

In areas where there are security challenges or peace and order constraints, the DepEd may also engage the Armed Forces of the Philippines Corps of Engineers.

To ensure that school sites under the public-private partnership projects of the DepEd are construction-ready, another P160 million is also allotted under the public schools infrastructure program for site development activities.