Malacañang announced that it is implementing a “catch-up plan” and enlisting the help of Local Government Units (LGUs) to accelerate the construction of school buildings across the country.
This comes after Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that only 22 out of 1,700 classrooms targeted for completion in 2025 have been built so far.
In a press briefing on Friday, October 24, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has already ordered immediate action to address the shortage of classrooms nationwide.
“Opo, iniuutos na po ito ng Pangulo na agarang matugunan ang kakulangan sa classrooms. Nagkaroon na nga rin po, at ipinakikita na po, at gagawin ‘yong catch-up plan… Noong nakaraan pong araw ay sinabi po natin na isasama na rin po ang Local Government Units (LGUs) para po mas mapabilis ang pagpapagawa ng mga eskuwelahan,” Castro said.
She added that Dizon has been tasked to investigate the cause of the delay and ensure accountability among those responsible.
“So, titingnan po rin ni Sec. Vince [Dizon] kung bakit nagkaroon ng delay sa pagpapagawa ng mga classrooms. So, kung mayroon pong dapat managot dito, bakit napabayaan po dito, asahan po natin na may mananagot po,” she added.
The Palace assured the public that the government is determined to expedite school construction projects and resolve infrastructure bottlenecks to provide adequate learning spaces for Filipino students.