The Cebu Provincial Government is gearing up for a major educational infrastructure push, with its executive department preparing to submit a substantial P1.6-billion budget proposal for a groundbreaking initiative called the Smart Digital 21st Century Ready School program.
Funding and Program Scope
Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces detailed the financial plan, revealing that the funding will be sourced from two primary channels. The province has allocated P1 billion from the Special Education Fund (SEF) for the year 2026. An additional P600 million is expected to be generated from real property taxes, which are legally earmarked for education-related projects.
This province-wide program has a clear goal: to construct one digitally-equipped school building in every participating Local Government Unit (LGU). Empaces emphasized that this initiative is entirely separate from ongoing disaster-response projects for schools damaged by recent calamities.
Design, Cost, and Approval Process
Each proposed school building is a significant investment, with an estimated cost ranging from P11.5 million to P12 million. The design calls for a two-story structure housing four classrooms. These facilities are planned to be future-proof, incorporating digital-ready infrastructure and sustainable features like rainwater catchment systems.
The buildings are intended to be versatile, supporting not only regular classroom instruction but also training sessions and seminars for the community. The proposal has already received a positive initial response from the Department of Education (DepEd) at the provincial level.
The next steps involve presenting the plan to the Provincial School Board for formal budget approval. Following this, partner LGUs and specific school beneficiaries will be identified in coordination with the Schools Superintendent. A key requirement for LGUs wishing to participate is the availability of land for construction.
Distinct from Disaster Recovery
Empaces took care to clarify that the Smart Digital School program is a separate endeavor from the construction of temporary learning centers. These centers are specifically for schools affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30, 2025, and Typhoon Tino, and they already have their own approved designs.
Meanwhile, the provincial government has completed its damage assessment from the September earthquake. It plans to convene the KumbatiCebu Council after the Fiesta Señor and Sinulog celebrations on January 18. This meeting will present assessment results to LGUs and national agencies to define roles for the rehabilitation and recovery efforts, ensuring coordinated action on infrastructure like bridges.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro has directed that once the smart school buildings are completed, they will be formally turned over to the DepEd for official use, marking a lasting investment in Cebu's educational landscape.
