PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Basic Education moved to dismantle the nation’s massive 166,000-classroom deficit during a high-stakes public hearing on Monday, February 9. Led by Senator Bam Aquino, lawmakers met with government officials and private stakeholders to streamline construction and maximize the ₱67.9 billion budget allocated for school infrastructure. 

The committee’s primary goal is to shift from bureaucratic delays to rapid execution, ensuring every peso translates into a safe learning environment for Filipino students.

The hearing scrutinized three specific construction modalities: traditional projects led by the DPWH, localized builds through LGUs, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). 

By comparing these methods, the committee aims to identify which process delivers the highest quality at the lowest cost and fastest pace. 

Senator Aquino emphasized that the "right price, process, and timing" are non-negotiable if the government hopes to provide long-term solutions to the unending shortage.

With the funding already secured, the committee set a firm benchmark to launch the construction of at least 26,000 classrooms within the year. This aggressive target serves as the first major milestone in closing the 166,000-unit gap. 

As the hearing concluded, the message to implementing agencies was clear: the budget is ready, the modalities are set, and the urgency of the education crisis demands immediate results.

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