President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday formalized the second batch of partnerships with local government units (LGUs) to accelerate the Nationwide Classroom Building Program, a flagship initiative aimed at addressing the country’s urgent classroom shortage, estimated at 144,758 units as of January 2026.

The agreements, signed at Malacañang, will allow city governments to oversee the procurement, construction, and project management for faster, more responsive implementation, while the Department of Education (DepEd) will set standards and validate compliance before the final turnover of the classrooms and payment.

Former Vice President Leni Robredo, now the Naga City mayor, led mayors from Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao in committing to fast-tracking permits, identifying priority schools, and supporting the construction of safe, modern classrooms in their communities.

“Every classroom we build gives our children a better future,” President Marcos said. “We cannot wait for decades to give every student a safe and conducive classroom for effective learning. Let us ensure that projects are not delayed, the classrooms are of high quality, and every peso earned by our fellow Filipinos is used properly.”

The initiative is backed with P85.4 billion in the 2026 General Appropriations Act for basic education facilities. Of this, P9.6 billion is programmed to fund approximately 4,000 classrooms under the first tranche, while an additional P5.96 billion will support roughly 1,700 classrooms under the newly signed LGU agreements.

Accountability measures include tranche-based fund releases, dedicated trust accounts, and mandatory monthly and quarterly reporting to the DepEd.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the nationwide partnership empowers LGUs to prioritize local school needs and accelerate delivery.

“This is a big step toward faster classroom construction. Our cities know where classrooms are most needed, and through our joint efforts, we can provide safe and proper spaces for our students and teachers,” Angara said.

Beyond building infrastructure, the administration continues to implement complementary education reforms, including expanding the ARAL Program, accelerating the procurement of learning materials, and improving teachers’ career progression pathways.

The DepEd is also exploring public-private partnerships and leasing arrangements to further reduce construction delays and ease classroom overcrowding.

The department has encouraged LGUs to establish Learning Continuity Spaces to ensure uninterrupted education during construction and in times of emergencies or disasters.

President Marcos emphasized, “We are not just building classrooms; we are building a strong future for our youth and for our beloved Philippines.”