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Bella Cariaso - The Philippine Star
December 10, 2025 | 12:00am
A teacher cleans a classroom at an elementary school in Manila on June 13, 2025, ahead of the opening of classes on June 16.
AFP / Jam Sta Rosa
MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara has asked local government units (LGUs) to fast-track the approval of permits for the construction of 15,000 classrooms under the public-private partnership program.
During a meeting with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, Angara reiterated his appeal for LGUs to establish green lanes for quicker processing of permits and other required documents.
He also announced that the scope of the Special Education Fund will be expanded to include early childhood care, feeding programs, the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program, laptops, gadgets and the alternative learning system.
“We are hopeful that our proposed provision in the 2026 General Appropriations Act will be approved by the Congress. This is to allow the LGUs, even civil society organizations, to participate in the construction of classrooms and school buildings. Here, the construction of classrooms will not solely lie with one agency,” he said.
The education chief earlier estimated the nationwide classroom shortage at around 165,000.
“May the strong relationship and cooperation between the local and national government continue to completely elevate the quality of education in every corner of the country,” said Angara.
At a separate event, Angara also vowed stricter safeguards for the P41.18-billion proposed 2026 budget for subsidies and vouchers benefiting learners and teachers in private schools.
According to him, the funding, which is P670 million higher than this year’s allocation, will be used to expand the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE).
He noted that the increased support reflects strengthened policymaking and system reforms under his leadership as well as President Marcos’ continuing push to support the 2.6 million learners enrolled in private institutions, especially in areas where public schools face congestion or lack of access.
Expanding GASTPE, according to Angara, is a congestion-management strategy. For every 35 to 40 learners enrolled through vouchers, one public school classroom is effectively decongested.
