DBM approves P303 M to build more classrooms

MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the request of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to release funds for the construction of additional classrooms in the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, Nov. 22, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said she endorsed an amount of P303.5 million in order to build over 120 classrooms in 21 sites nationwide.

“Education is a chance for every Filipino to improve his or her quality of life… And it empowers us to achieve genuine prosperity as well,” Pangandaman highlighted the crucial role of the education sector in social and human development.

The funds were requested under the Basic Education Facilities (BEF) Batch 2 for Calendar Year (CY) 2023.

This was approved after completing the requirements including the list of schools approved by the DepEd undersecretaries for School Infrastructure and Facilities, and Finance, the Budget Execution Document No. 1-Financial Plan, Physical Plan, and the Monthly Disbursement Program.

“[Classroom building] is also a shared responsibility to work together for the country to achieve complete economic healing and recovery,” said the budget chief.

She explained that the fund releases coincided with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to improve the education facilities, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

“It is the President’s order to provide a decent and secure learning place for our students and teachers so that they can learn and teach efficiently,” Pangandaman stressed.

“[Proper learning facilities] must be at par with other areas, whether you are in Manila or in the far provinces, we should have good education facilities for our teachers and students,” she reiterated.

A total of P15.7 billion authorized appropriation for Special Provisions in the DepEd’s 2023 budget is currently being implemented by the DPWH.

In the said budget, P15.6 billion is included to construct, replace, and complete buildings for the kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools as well as technical vocational (techvoc) laboratories.