The Department of Education (DepEd) has finalized a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with local government units (LGUs) to accelerate the construction, repair, and improvement of public school classrooms under the 2026 national budget.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the partnership would allow faster delivery of facilities by tapping LGUs’ knowledge of local school needs.
“Mas mabilis kaming makakakilos kapag katuwang ang LGU, dahil sila ang mas nakakaalam kung alin ang pinaka-kailangan ng kanilang mga paaralan,” Angara said.
“Ginagawa natin itong malinaw at maayos kasama ang mga liga ng LGU para siguradong ang pondo ay mabilis na nagiging silid-aralan para sa mga bata at guro.”
The MOA, anchored on the 2026 General Appropriations Act, authorizes DepEd to partner with qualified LGUs for classroom projects.
It covers new construction, repairs, and learning space improvements, with LGUs serving as implementing partners through their procurement processes and funding mixes from national allocations, tax allotments, and special education funds.
DepEd will provide standardized designs, technical frameworks, and oversight to ensure compliance with performance standards and auditing rules.
The agreement also outlines roles, responsibilities, timelines, and monitoring mechanisms, with safeguards for transparency and accountability.
Angara said coordination with major LGU associations—including the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, the League of Provinces, and the League of Cities—will ensure alignment in implementation.
The initiative aims to fast-track classroom delivery as the government addresses the country’s estimated 165,000-classroom shortage.