Marcos tightens classroom oversight

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. introduced a tranche-based funding system and stricter reporting requirements for classroom construction in a bid to tighten oversight over more than P85 billion in school facilities funding under the 2026 national budget.

Speaking at the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Department of Education (DepEd) and city governments at Malacañang on Monday, Mr. Marcos said the new framework is designed to safeguard public funds while also accelerating the delivery of classrooms nationwide.

“We all know that the people’s money must be safeguarded, which is why the system we have put in place clearly defines accountability,” he said in Filipino.

Under the arrangement, funds for classroom construction will be released in three tranches. Local government units will be required to set up separate trust accounts exclusively for the projects and submit monthly and quarterly reports to the DepEd for monitoring.

No final turnover or payment will be made until the DepEd validates the completed classrooms, Mr. Marcos said, adding that the system is meant to ensure both faster implementation and clearer accountability.

The first tranche dedicates P9.6 billion to build about 4,000 classrooms, while new city agreements aim for 1,700 more worth roughly P5.96 billion.

Mr. Marcos said giving cities control over procurement and project management will complement national oversight by the DepEd.

The program addresses overcrowded classrooms and multiple school shifts, with partnerships extending to private sector initiatives.

The country is grappling with a 144,758 classroom deficit amid a learning crisis. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana