Bam to probe delayed P67-B classroom fund rollout

Senator Bam Aquino will investigate the slow rollout of the P67-billion fund for classroom construction as he returns as chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

Aquino said he wants to know why construction has yet to begin despite the allocation for 25,000 classrooms under the 2026 budget.

“Tututukan natin iyong krisis sa edukasyon. Unang-una, iimbestigahan natin ang P67 billion na nakalaan para sa classrooms,” he said.

“Alam nating napakabagal ng pag-deploy nito at nais nating malaman kung paano ito papabilisan ngayon na umuulan na ulit at mas mahirap nang gumawa ng classroom,” Aquino added.

The senator also urged the government to speed up the release of funds for the repair of more than 1,000 classrooms damaged by the recent Mindanao earthquake.

“Ayon sa DepEd, mahigit 1,000 classrooms ang nasira ng lindol sa Mindanao. Dapat bilisan ang paglalabas ng pondo upang maisaayos ang mga ito sa lalong madaling panahon,” he said.IMT