The Department of Education (DepEd) has partnered with local government units to accelerate the construction, repair, and improvement of public school classrooms under the 2026 national budget.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara saying the memorandum of agreement strengthens coordination between DepEd and local government units in identifying priority schools, mobilizing resources, and implementing classroom projects that meet national education and infrastructure standards, while remaining responsive to local needs.

The memorandum of agreement is anchored on provisions of the 2026 General Appropriations Act that authorize DepEd to partner with qualified local government units for the delivery of basic education facilities.

Angara is also coordinating with major local government unit associations, including the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, the League of Provinces of the Philippines, and the League of Cities of the Philippines to finalize implementation details and ensure that local governments are aligned on standards, processes, and timelines for classroom delivery.

Under the agreement, local government units may participate as implementing partners using various modalities, including their usual procurement processes, different funding mixes from national allocations, the national tax allotment, and special education funds, as well as programs covering new construction, repairs, or other learning space improvements.

DepEd will provide standardized designs, technical frameworks, and oversight to ensure that all projects meet Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications, as well as audit and accountability rules.

The memorandum of agreement defines the roles and responsibilities of DepEd and participating local government units, including the scope of projects, funding arrangements, timelines, and monitoring mechanisms. It also sets safeguards to ensure transparency, proper use of public funds, and compliance with government auditing rules, with DepEd retaining authority to review plans, validate completed classrooms, and require corrective action when standards are not met.

Angara said the agreement is expected to help fast-track the delivery of classrooms as the government works to bridge the 165,000-classroom building gap, ultimately providing safer, less crowded, and more conducive learning spaces for millions of public school learners and their teachers.