DBM releases P7.7 B for classrooms

MANILA, Philippines - There is still classroom shortage after all.

Despite the repeated pronouncements of President Aquino in various forums of having solved the problem, the Department of Budget and Management released a statement yesterday announcing it released P7.7 billion to “address the shortage nationwide.” 

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said this allocation to the Department of Education is the “third batch of funds released this year from the Basic Education Facilities Fund, which had an allocation of P39 billion from the 2014 General Appropriations Act.”

Last Feb. 3, Aquino declared that Philippines has no more backlog in classrooms for public schools – unlike what he inherited from his predecessor – following the education department’s achievement of zero backlog in Dec. 2013. 

In a speech he delivered at Carmona National High School in Cavite where the turnover ceremonies were held, a very proud Chief Executive lauded government officials – led by Education Secretary Armin Luistro – for the construction of 66,813 classrooms.

Aquino hailed Luistro for exceeding government target which was only supposed to be 66,800 classrooms with a budget of around P800,000 each, and only three years since they assumed office in mid-2010.

“Today we have witnessed the ceremonial turnover of 66,813 new classrooms, erasing our inherited backlog from the past administration. The truth is, as Secretary Armin has promised, these have already  been finished last December,” he said.

“There’s a bonus: we even exceeded our target,” Aquino remarked. He thanked Luistro for his commitment and dedication to provide the basic needs of students such as classrooms, chairs and books, among many others.

Aquino said the government managed to mobilize partnerships with various government agencies, local government units (LGUs), the private sector and foreign donors to help meet the target.

DBM: Budget for DepEd is to build schools, equip them

 Abad said the P7.7 billion was also allocated not just to DepEd, but to the Department of Public Works and Highways as well, to address the shortage of classrooms nationwide.

 Prior to the latest release, the DBM had channeled to DepEd and DPWH a total of P8.6 billion: P1.25 billion in the wake of super typhoon Yolanda and P7.35 billion as the first batch of funds released in the middle of the year.

 “This third release of funds is in keeping with President Aquino’s commitment to the Social Contract, supporting as it does the needs of our education sector as well as advancing quality education in the country,” Abad said.

“We need to accommodate the increasing number of students every year with new schools as well as equip them properly to create a conducive learning environment,” he said in a statement.  

 The BEFF is used for the construction, rehabilitation, replacement, completion, and repair of school buildings in areas experiencing acute classroom shortage.

It is also used for the construction of water and sanitation facilities as well as the acquisition of school desks, furniture, and fixtures for the targeted public schools.

“The Administration plans to build more quality classrooms, as each school year brings with it a larger student population. This is one of several ways through which we’re reforming the education system, besides providing better facilities and learning materials to our students,” Abad said.

 The funds will be released directly to the DPWH-Central Office to administer the construction based on a list of school buildings and work program submitted by the DepEd.

Among the regions set to benefit from the release are the National Capital Region (P2B), Region IV-A (P1.7B), and Region VII (P1.5B).