THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) targets 106,000 new classrooms from 2026-2031 to address the classroom shortage.
DepEd Undersecretary Ronald U. Mendoza presented that DepEd is working to eliminate the nationwide 165,443-classroom deficit.
Mendoza presented the roadmap to government leaders, development partners, and private sector stakeholders convened on Friday, July 24, for the market sounding activity for the Public-Private Partnership for School Infrastructure Project (PPPSIP).
The PPPSIP is the long-term strategy to address the country’s classroom shortage.
The market-sounding activity gathered local infrastructure developers, contractors, and other private sector partners to exchange insights and explore innovative approaches for implementing the PPP initiative.
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso Magno committed to facilitate public-private partnerships for Mindanao.
Magno emphasized that PPP is a critical mechanism for mobilizing private sector expertise and investments.
He said that MinDA’s partnership with the PPP Center ensures that projects deliver safe, climate-resilient, and learner-centered school facilities for generations of Filipino learners.
Of the 106,000 target classrooms, Magno said 11,000 are to be rolled out for Mindanao, hopefully in partnership with the private sector.
Maria Ines C. Asuncion, DepEd XI regional director, underscored the urgency of investing in resilient school infrastructure, considering that Davao Region is among the country’s disaster-prone areas.
“These realities remind us that investing in safe, resilient, and future-ready school infrastructure is not merely about constructing buildings; it is about safeguarding the lives, dreams, and future of every Filipino learner,” she said.
Davao de Oro Congressman Leonel Ceniza pointed to congestion persisting in many public schools, accommodating as many as 65 learners.
Ceniza highlighted the need for the construction of more school facilities for more conducive learning environments.
DepEd said the market sounding activity is critical for the government and private partnership to accelerate the construction of more school facilities.
