Senator Bam Aquino expressed disappointment after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported it has completed only 22 classrooms for 2025, far short of its 1,700 target.
“You can’t explain that. Even just saying it, sumasakit iyong puso ko na 22 lang ang nagawang classroom,” Aquino said during the DPWH budget hearing.
He warned that if the slow pace continues, the classroom backlog, now at 146,000, could reach 200,000 by 2028.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency will investigate the delays and pledged full support for Aquino’s proposed Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) Act, recently certified as a priority measure by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The CAP Act seeks to speed up classroom construction by allowing local government units and qualified non-government organizations to build classrooms following Department of Education standards.
“At this rate, it’s virtually impossible na magawa ng DPWH itong kailangan nating mga classrooms,” Dizon admitted, adding that partnerships with LGUs are being explored to address the shortage.IMT
