One of the significant challenges the country's education sector faces today is the lack of adequate school infrastructure. A 2022 study on "School Infrastructure in the Philippines" conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies shows the need to construct additional classrooms to address congestion and meet quality and safety standards.

As Chair of the Senate Health Committee, this is a cause for concern as the safety and health of our people, especially the youth, must be prioritized. According to the Basic Education Report 2023 released by the Department of Education (DepEd) early this year, the country has 327,851 school buildings. Still, only 104,536 of these are in good condition.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and a member of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, I am pushing for the construction of more school buildings and improvements of existing classrooms across the country.

Whenever I visit public schools or have engagements with teachers, they always mention the need for more classrooms, especially in far-flung areas. During last month's barangay and SK elections, I witnessed the disrepair of our educational facilities, even in our hometown of Davao City. This condition adds to the burden of students and teachers who are already readjusting to face-to-face learning after easing restrictions caused by the pandemic.

Based on our discussions in the Senate, there is a need to construct around 159,000 classrooms to bridge the current gap. Hence, I have reiterated my stance to prioritize the construction of classrooms during the Senate plenary deliberations for DepEd's 2024 budget on 9 November. I also continue to express my full trust and support for our Vice President and Education Secretary, Sara Duterte, who I know can fulfill her mandate in addressing our country's problems today.

Although I represent a single vote when it comes to decisions to be made by the Senate, especially when it comes to the budget, my stand is firm that any amount removed from DepEd's budget must be reallocated back to the education sector to address gaps, especially in addressing the backlog in classroom shortages. Ultimately, the poor and the needy must benefit from the available government funds, particularly regarding education.

Despite our busy schedule in the Senate, my office continues to reach out to communities in need and bring government services closer to those facing various crises and hardships.