The Department of Education (DepEd) expressed deep disappointment over reports that only 22 classrooms were completed in 2025 under the previous leadership of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“It is unacceptable that only 22 classrooms were built under the previous DPWH leadership despite the funds and assistance provided by DepEd,” the agency said in an official statement on Tuesday, October 21.
Because of this, the department announced that funding for classroom construction in 2026 will instead be allocated to local government units (LGUs), the AFP Corps of Engineers, or even the private sector.
“Tama na ang palusot. Kaya ngayong 2026, pondo para sa classrooms ibibigay sa DepEd sa mga LGU, AFP Corps of Engineers, o sa pribadong sektor,” DepEd emphasized.
To ensure progress, the agency vowed to fulfill the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to complete 40,000 classrooms by the end of 2028.
“Sisikapin naming tuparin ang direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos na maipatayo ang 40,000 classrooms bago matapos ang 2028,” DepEd assured.
In a related report, Education Secretary Sonny Angara also expressed frustration over the issue, criticizing the DPWH for allegedly prioritizing flood control projects over classroom construction.
“Mukhang nawili sila doon sa flood control, sa totoo lang eh. Matamaan na kung sinong matamaan, pero parang hindi na naging priority ’yung pagtayo ng classroom,” Angara said.
Meanwhile, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon was visibly surprised when he confirmed the numbers during a Senate Committee on Finance hearing for the agency’s 2026 proposed budget on Monday, October 20.
“Totoo ba ito? Ang baba nito, ah,” he remarked in disbelief.
“For 2025 po, out of 1,700 na dapat gawin, 22 pa lang po ang completed at 882 po ang ongoing. At meron pong 882 na not yet started,” Dizon reported.
The data revealed that the DPWH managed to complete only 15.43% of its classroom construction projects for the year — a figure that has sparked criticism and renewed calls for accountability in the government’s infrastructure efforts.