Philippines launches P85.4B program to build 4,000 new classrooms by 2026

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a new agreement to build more classrooms across the Philippines. The deal, part of the Nationwide Classroom Building Program, aims to tackle the country's shortage of 144,758 schoolrooms. The first phase will fund around 4,000 new classrooms with P9.6 billion in funding.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed in Bacolod City between the national government and the Department of Education (DepEd). Under the program, funds will be released in stages, with strict accountability rules in place. Local governments must use dedicated trust accounts and submit monthly and quarterly reports to DepEd.

In Negros Occidental, 16 local government units (LGUs) have expressed interest by submitting Letters of Intent (LOI). However, three—Toboso, Moises Padilla, and Candoni—cannot qualify because they lack the required Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).

Beyond Negros Occidental, other cities and towns have also joined the initiative. As of February 2026, Naga, Mati, and Legazpi, along with the municipalities of Tubod and Kalilangan, have submitted LOIs. Among these, Naga, Mati, and Tubod currently hold the SGLG, making them eligible for funding.

The program's total budget stands at P85.4 billion, allocated under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. An additional P5.96 billion will fund around 1,700 extra classrooms through the newly signed agreements.

The nationwide push will see thousands of new classrooms built in the coming years. Funds will be tightly monitored, with tranche-based releases and regular reporting to ensure proper use. The program targets long-standing shortages in school infrastructure across the country.