To accelerate the construction of classrooms nationwide, Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for the implementation of a ‘counterpart’ program with local government units (LGUs).  

Gatchalian recalled the rollout of a similar program when he was mayor of Valenzuela City. Under the program, LGUs and the national government share the cost of classroom construction. LGUs, however, will be responsible for constructing the classrooms. 

“The school building counterpart program is effective in the sense that LGUs construct classrooms simultaneously. During my time as Valenzuela mayor, hundreds — even thousands — of LGUs took part in the program. That’s why we were also able to complete more classrooms,” Gatchalian recalled.

“When we build classrooms all at once, we cut waiting time and deliver quality education faster,” the senator added. 

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, however, emphasized that while bigger cities can shoulder as much as 50% of the cost of classroom construction, fourth- and fifth-class municipalities need more support because they have lower incomes and fewer resources.

The total nationwide classroom shortage stands at 165,443, which would require more than P413.6 billion.