Education Secretary Sonny Angara confirmed the rollout of a brand new national endeavor between the DepEd and local government units that is set to fast-track classroom construction by shifting more implementation responsibility to the local level. The agreement was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed at Malacañang, with representatives from more than 90 percent of provinces taking part.
Angara said the partnership establishes a clear and unified framework between national and local governments in delivering school infrastructure, addressing long-standing coordination issues that have affected project execution. “These signatures mark the end of working in silos. They mark the beginning of shared responsibility,” he said, pointing to the agreement as a structural reset in how classrooms are built nationwide.
Provincial leaders signed the pact through major local government leagues, including the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines and the League of Provinces of the Philippines. According to Angara, the agreement is designed to ensure that classroom projects move forward without disruption caused by unclear mandates or hesitation between agencies. “Ang kasunduang ito ang malinaw naming pangako na wala nang classroom na maaantala dahil sa pag-aalinlangan, at wala nang edukasyong mapuputol dahil sa kakulangan ng ugnayan,” he said.
Under the agreement, LGUs will take the lead in the construction, replacement, rehabilitation, and improvement of classrooms within their jurisdictions. This includes handling procurement, supervising contractors, and managing day-to-day project implementation, all in accordance with national procurement and building regulations. DepEd will identify priority schools, provide standard classroom designs and technical specifications, and carry out oversight by reviewing plans and validating completed works to ensure they meet national standards on safety, accessibility, and quality.
President Bongbong Marcos, who witnessed the signing, said empowering LGUs in implementation would streamline processes, reduce delays, and allow schools to be built faster.
The agreement also defines shared responsibilities for funding and long-term maintenance. It mandates regular submission of financial and physical accomplishment reports, the use of key performance indicators, and public disclosure measures to strengthen transparency and accountability throughout project implementation.
Angara said the DepEd–LGU partnership complements existing national school building programs and accelerates delivery by aligning national standards with local implementation capacity, in line with the President’s directive to make education a top governance priority.
