With only a few days before the opening of School Year 2026–2027, Senator Win Gatchalian expressed confidence that the construction of new classrooms will gain significant momentum this year as the government moves to address the country’s massive classroom shortage.
Gatchalian recalled that under the 2026 national budget, P67.931 billion is allotted to construct classrooms, including technical vocational laboratories. This will build up to 24,527 classrooms, which will benefit up to 4.6 million learners. As of July 2025, the Department of Education (DepEd) estimated the classroom backlog at 147,000.
The senator also emphasized that the 2026 national budget allows more flexibility on classroom construction. While the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) used to have the sole mandate to construct classrooms, a special provision in the 2026 national budget also allows the DepEd to enter a memorandum of agreement with local government units (LGUs), other government agencies, and civil society organizations to build the facilities.
“Kung mas maraming LGUs at iba’t-ibang sektor na makakatulong sa pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan, mas mapapabilis natin ang pag-abot sa target ngayong taon hanggang sa mapunan natin ang kakulangan sa mga silid-aralan,” Gatchalian said.