The Department of Education (DepEd) has expanded its partnership with local government units to fast-track classroom construction, following the allocation of P9.6 billion for the first tranche of the classroom building program under the 2026 national budget.

Of the P9.6 billion programmed for the first tranche, P4.1 billion has been earmarked for provincial governments for the construction of about 1,200 classrooms.

DepEd will also procure around 2,800 prefabricated classrooms worth over P5 billion. This is part of the first phase of the program, which will deliver 4,000 new classrooms nationwide to help improve daily learning and teaching conditions.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the move institutionalizes a long-standing plan to tap the capacity of local government units in delivering school infrastructure, with the support of Congress.

Quirino Gov. Dax Cua, national president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), described the initiative as “isang mahalagang hakbang tungo sa mas pinatatag at mas maayos na edukasyon para sa ating mga kabataan.”

South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo “Jun” Tamayo Jr., president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), affirmed the LGUs’ unified commitment to the program.

“When national and local governments work together, real progress happens—especially for our learners,” Tamayo wrote in his post.

Teachers on the ground also welcomed the development, saying improved facilities would directly benefit learners and educators.

Teacher Kisyzl Uy of South Cotabato noted that inadequate facilities directly affect both teaching and learning.

The strengthened collaboration of DepEd and local government units aims to maximize resources, shorten construction timelines, and ensure that more students gain access to safe and adequate classrooms nationwide.