In a significant move to address the chronic shortage of classrooms across the Philippines, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian announced that the newly ratified 2026 national budget contains a massive funding injection specifically designed to accelerate the building of educational facilities.
Record Budget Allocation for Education Infrastructure
The enrolled General Appropriations Act for 2026 earmarks a substantial PHP85 billion for the construction, repair, and modernization of school buildings nationwide. Senator Gatchalian, who chairs the influential Senate Committee on Finance, emphasized that this allocation is a strategic response to the persistent backlog that has plagued the basic education sector for years.
Out of the total fund, a dedicated PHP65.9 billion is set aside for the construction, replacement, and completion of school buildings catering to students from kindergarten up to senior high school, including technical-vocational laboratories. "We didn't just allocate more funds for classroom construction, we also ensured that it will be accelerated through the active participation of various sectors," Gatchalian stated in a press briefing on Friday, January 2, 2026.
Flexible and Collaborative Construction Modalities
A key feature of the 2026 budget is the flexibility it grants the Department of Education (DepEd) in choosing how to execute these vital infrastructure projects. The department is now empowered to utilize various modalities, including public-private partnerships (PPP), to ensure faster and more efficient delivery.
To enable simultaneous construction projects across the archipelago, DepEd is authorized to forge memoranda of agreement with multiple entities. These potential partners include:
- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
- Qualified local government units (LGUs)
- Civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations
- The Armed Forces of the Philippines Corps of Engineers
This multi-sectoral approach aims to dismantle bureaucratic bottlenecks and leverage the expertise and resources of different groups.
Tackling the Massive Classroom Shortage
The urgent need for this budgetary push is underscored by DepEd's own figures. The education department is seeking to construct a staggering 165,000 new classrooms. This number is necessary to cover the significant existing deficit and to accommodate the country's consistently rising student enrollment.
The ongoing construction of a two-story building at the Bukidnon National High School in Malaybalay City, documented in September 2025, exemplifies the type of project this fund aims to replicate and expedite on a national scale. The success of this ambitious plan hinges on the strengthened collaboration between DepEd, LGUs, the private sector, and the DPWH.
With the funds now secured, the focus shifts to implementation. The nation watches as this record investment seeks to translate into tangible learning spaces, finally bringing students out of overcrowded and makeshift classrooms and into environments conducive to quality education.
