Gov. Pamela Baricuatro signed a memorandum of agreement on July 11, 2026, securing P200 million from the Department of Education (DepEd) to build new public school classrooms in Cebu Province. The signing took place at the DepEd Central Office in Makati City, witnessed by DepEd Undersecretary Peter Irving Corvera and Assistant Secretary Aurelio Paulo Bartolome.
Funding from 2026 National Budget
The funding comes from the 2026 General Appropriations Act for Basic Education Facilities. Under the agreement, DepEd will manage technical standards and fund distribution, while the Cebu Provincial Government will directly handle procurement and construction of new school buildings. This arrangement aims to accelerate project implementation by leveraging local government capacity.
Massive Classroom Deficit in Cebu
Cebu faces a severe classroom shortage, with data submitted to the Cebu Provincial Board showing a deficit of 5,466 classrooms. Additionally, 6,261 classrooms need minor repairs and 4,155 require major repairs, according to Cebu Province Schools Division Superintendent Senen Priscilo Paulin. The province currently has 14,183 classrooms, but many are in poor condition, straining the education system.
The local shortage is part of a larger national crisis. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara have targeted a nationwide deficit of 145,000 classrooms through a broader infrastructure initiative.
Regional Impact and Disaster Damage
Across Central Visayas, the total classroom deficit stands at 10,845 classrooms. DepEd 7 Director Arturo Bayocot attributed the shortage to limited national funding and damage from natural disasters, including typhoon Tino and a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Cebu in 2025. These events overwhelmed previous repair efforts, worsening the infrastructure gap.
Local Government Takes Charge
To expedite construction, the Cebu Provincial Board passed an authorizing resolution, authored by PB Member Raymond Joseph Calderon, allowing the Provincial Capitol to fund and manage school infrastructure projects using local resources. By taking over procurement and construction, the local government aims to quickly deploy the P200 million and reduce the classroom deficit.
Ongoing Challenges
While the P200 million injection provides critical funding for new classrooms, the scale of the crisis remains daunting. With over 10,000 classrooms needed across Central Visayas and thousands more requiring repairs in Cebu, sustained long-term investments from local and national agencies are essential to fully resolve the educational infrastructure deficit.
