Senator Win Gatchalian on Friday said the proposed 2026 national budget will significantly speed up classroom construction, helping address the persistent shortage of basic education facilities nationwide.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Gatchalian said the budget gives the Department of Education (DepEd) greater flexibility in implementing classroom projects, including the use of public-private partnerships to hasten delivery.
“Hindi lamang tayo naglaan ng mas malaking pondo para sa pagpapatayo ng mga classrooms. Tiniyak din nating mapapabilis ito sa pamamagitan ng aktibong pakikilahok ng iba’t ibang sektor,” he said in a statement.
Gatchalian’s office said the proposed 2026 budget allocates ₱85 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms.
Of this, ₱65.9 billion is intended for the construction, replacement, and completion of kindergarten to secondary school buildings, as well as technical-vocational laboratories.
The senator said the increased funding and flexible implementation are aimed at easing classroom congestion and improving learning conditions for students across the country.