The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) is pushing for the construction of at least 50,000 classrooms annually to address the nationwide classroom backlog.
ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo noted that the current shortage of 166,000 classrooms can only be addressed by building these classrooms, which is key to addressing classroom overcrowding and improving learning outcomes.
Data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) shows that classroom backlogs still stand at 166,000, contradicting the previous report that it has declined to 144,000.
The commission warned that the gap could reach 219,000 by 2028, as more than 51,000 classrooms will be condemned due to age, and 70% of public school buildings require major repairs, retrofitting, or condemnation.
Natural disasters could further increase the deficit, citing 10,000 damaged classrooms in Cebu in October last year and the 7.8-magnitude Sarangani earthquake on June 8, which damaged 12,493 classrooms across five regions and 39 school divisions.
According to the Department of Education's (DepEd) 2026 national budget, P65 billion has been allocated for the construction of 24,964 classrooms.
Meanwhile, P7.7 billion is set aside for the repair and rehabilitation of existing school buildings, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) committed to constructing over 5,000 classrooms this year.
As of July 15, 2,100 classrooms have been completed, while 2,900 are still undergoing construction.
