Senator Bam Aquino on Thursday slammed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for completing only 60 classrooms for 2025, calling the agency’s performance “completely unacceptable” as he urged Congress to pass the proposed Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) Act to address the country’s severe classroom shortage within six years.

During interpellation on Senate Bill 1482, Aquino said the DPWH’s dismal output was a result of mismanagement and misplaced spending priorities, particularly the agency’s heavy focus on flood control projects in recent years.

“Honestly, I think it was mismanaged in the past three years. Napopondohan iyong mga flood control, iyong classroom na pinaka-basic sa ating bansa, hindi napopondohan,” Aquino said in response to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson.

“To have accomplishments of 30, 40, or 60 a year is simply unacceptable,” he added.

DPWH officials earlier disclosed during an October budget hearing that the agency had completed only 22 classrooms out of its 1,700-target for 2025.

Aquino said the proposed CAP Act seeks to close the 165,443-classroom gap nationwide, factoring in structures repeatedly damaged by natural disasters and the annual increase in enrollment.

“We need to spend P90 billion every year for six years, with a price cap of P1.8 million per classroom,” he said, noting that the cost is significantly lower than the DPWH’s P3.5-million price tag per classroom. At that level of spending, he estimates about 39,000 classrooms could be built annually.

Under the CAP Act, Aquino proposes allowing local government units (LGUs) and accredited civil society organizations (CSOs) to construct classrooms using national funds, provided they meet the standards of the Department of Education (DepEd).

“Previously, DPWH lang ang gumagawa ng classroom, and that led to only 60 classrooms being finished for this year,” Aquino said. “LGUs, CSOs, and even PPPs can help. Subukan natin iyan, then bantayan natin.”

Aquino clarified that the DPWH would still participate, with DepEd channeling part of its budget to the agency. He added that DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon has expressed interest in re-engaging under a reformed system.

“If they do want to engage, puwede, but we should put a price cap,” he said. “Kung may price cap tayo na P1.8 million, dapat lahat ng modality, ganoon ang presyo — o lower.”

He also welcomed the passage of the P1.38-trillion education budget — the largest in Philippine history — saying it could ease classroom shortages and strengthen student nutrition programs. But with the budget now headed to the bicameral conference committee, he urged the public to remain vigilant.

“Bantayan natin ang proseso. For the first time in history, the bicam will be live-streamed,” he said. “Siguraduhin natin na walang mababawasan, na walang mapopondohan na mga proyektong alanganin.”

“Bantayan natin hanggang dulo, hanggang maging batas ito, na hindi magagalaw ang perang iyan,” he added.

The CAP Act is expected to be a key reform measure as lawmakers continue to confront long-standing structural challenges in the country’s education system.