The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) came under heavy criticism after it revealed it had built only 22 classrooms this year — a shocking shortfall from its target of 1,700 rooms.

The revelation fueled outrage and deep disappointment, raising questions about government efficiency, accountability, and the DPWH’s capability to support the country’s education needs.

During Monday’s Senate budget hearing, Senator Bam Aquino could not hide his frustration, telling Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, “You can’t explain that. Even just saying it, my heart hurts knowing that only 22 classrooms were built.”

The lawmakers pressed the DPWH to explain the massive gap, warning that the country’s classroom shortage could worsen if the delay continues.

Aquino, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, warned that at the current pace, the country’s classroom backlog could balloon to 200,000 by 2028, worsening an already critical shortage.

“The estimated current classroom backlog is at 146,000. By 2028, if we continue at this rate, we can reach 200,000,” he said.

Dizon, who took over the department last September, admitted the shortfall but assured the Senate that the agency was looking into the cause of the delay and is committed to accelerating the classroom construction.

“We are in full support of this measure, especially now that the department has only completed 22 so far this year. We really need all the help we can get,” Dizon said, referring to the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) Act, Aquino’s proposed legislation.

The CAP Act, which was recently certified as a priority measure by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., aims to decentralize classroom construction by allowing local government units (LGUs) and qualified non-government organizations (NGOs) to take part in building school infrastructure.

The goal is to fast-track construction while maintaining standards set by the Department of Education.

“At this rate, it’s virtually impossible for the DPWH to build all the classrooms we need,” Dizon admitted, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and multi-sectoral approach.

The classroom shortage has been a longstanding issue, but Aquino said the latest figures were “beyond unacceptable.”

Education stakeholders, advocacy groups, and local officials have echoed calls to adopt more flexible and decentralized systems for classroom construction, citing bureaucratic delays and limited DPWH capacity as persistent bottlenecks.

If passed, the CAP Act would enable local governments and partner organizations to initiate construction projects within their jurisdictions, subject to DepEd standards and oversight.