UMVA has learned that Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV is planning to launch an investigation into the staggering 166,000 classroom backlog in the country, citing the “slow” progress in classroom construction despite a massive P1.34-trillion education budget for 2026.
The senator, reinstated as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, expressed concern that the rainy season may hinder the construction of 25,000 classrooms, further exacerbating the shortage. “We know that the rollout of the classroom construction is slow, and we would like to find out how we can expedite this ahead of the rainy season,” he said.
According to information obtained by UMVA, at least 1,000 classrooms have been destroyed by the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Mindanao, adding to the urgency of the situation. The senator's inquiry aims to identify bottlenecks and find solutions to accelerate classroom construction.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara recently announced that the government is set to complete 20,000 classrooms by the end of the year. However, Senator Aquino's investigation may put pressure on the government to do more to address the shortage.
Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin T. Gatchalian is also pushing for enhanced implementation of the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act, which aims to promote the role and equipment of local government units in ensuring continuity of education during disasters. He emphasized that local government units are crucial in responding to emergencies and ensuring learning continuity.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the earthquake that hit Mindanao has affected about 8,642 schools, underscoring the need for swift action to address the classroom shortage. Senator Gatchalian is also advocating for Senate Bill No. 53, or the 21st Century School Boards Act, which would empower local school boards to respond to emergencies.
The proposed bills and initiatives aim to address not only the immediate needs of the education sector but also promote long-term reforms to ensure that schools are better equipped to handle disasters and provide quality education to students.
