DBM releases P7-billion to construct, repair 8,997 classrooms

In line with the Aquino Social Contract with the Filipino People, the Department of Budget and Management has released P7-billion to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the construction and repair of 8,997 classrooms in areas experiencing acute classroom shortages.

“Education is the central strategy of the Aquino administration for investing in the people and enhancing the youth’s opportunity to gain meaningful employment. With this, we commit to ensure the funding needed to address critical gaps in basic education,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said.

He notes that for 2011, the DepEd budget was increased by P32.3 billion to P207.3 billion—the largest increase it has had in more than a decade—to fund the construction of classrooms, hiring of teachers, purchase of textbooks and other activities.

Abad said the P7-billion fund release is charged against the P11.29-billion Lumpsum for the Requirements of Basic Educational Facilities. The targeted 8,997 classrooms are expected to accommodate around 404,865 students.

He said that of the fund release, P1 billion will go for the repair and construction of classrooms in the National Capital Region, P841 million for Region IV-A, P660.311 million for the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and P562 million for Region VII.

Region	Amount in million pesos	No. of Classrooms	No. of Studentsat 45/classroom
NCR	1,054.15	720	32,400
I	187.74	298	13,410
II	176.62	319	14,355
III	432.31	588	26,460
IV-A	841.10	775	34,875
IV-B	276.89	400	18,000
V	450.72	643	28,935
VI	281.19	450	20,250
VII	562.93	728	32,760
VIII	457.20	679	30,555
IX	284.33	415	18,675
X	325.09	463	20,835
XI	302.97	429	19,305
XII	353.39	531	23,895
CARAGA	239.78	381	17,145
CAR	146.54	207	9,315
ARMM	660.31	971	43,695
Total	7,033.24	8,997	404,865

He notes that the Basic Educational Facilities lump-sum fund can be used not only for the construction and repair of elementary and secondary school buildings but also for the acquisition of school furniture and fixtures.

According to DepEd’s Physical Facilities and School’s Engineering Division (PFSED), for every new academic classroom constructed from the current year’s funds, there should be at least 23 tables and 46 chairs for elementary and a minimum 45 armchairs for secondary schools. There shall also be a set of table and chair for teachers, including blackboards in both levels.

For the construction and completion of project under this release, the constructors will be evaluated and the involvement of civil society monitors will also be encouraged.