A lawmaker has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent the proposed Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) Act, a measure designed to address the country’s worsening shortage of classrooms.
Senator Bam Aquino, author of Senate Bill No. 121, said the proposed law is essential to resolving the long-standing backlog in school infrastructure. He criticized the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for its sluggish implementation of classroom projects, revealing that the agency built only 22 classrooms out of its 1,700 target for 2025.
“Lahat ho tayo nagulat nung nalaman natin na bente dos lang ang classroom na ginawa ng DPWH ngayong taon. Ang backlog po natin 145,000 pataas, kaya yung bente dos na pagawa ng DPWH hindi po talaga yan katanggap-tanggap,” Aquino said.
While the CAP Act is already included in the administration’s priority measures for the 20th Congress, Aquino stressed that a presidential certification of urgency is needed to fast-track its approval.
Under the proposal, the task of building classrooms will be decentralized—allowing local government units (LGUs) and accredited non-government organizations (NGOs) to carry out construction projects in their areas, provided they meet the standards set by the Department of Education (DepEd).
“Mga Local Government Unit, mga NGO na may track record, sabay-sabay po yan para ma-address po natin yung napakalaking problema natin sa edukasyon,” Aquino emphasized.
The senator noted that the measure complements President Marcos’ directive to direct classroom construction funds to LGUs, ensuring faster and more transparent implementation at the local level.
“Natutuwa po kami na sa araw pong ito, sinang-ayunan tayo ng Presidente. And we’re hoping po na dahil po nag-a-agree na po tayo dito, ise-certify po niya na urgent ang Classroom Acceleration Program para sabay-sabay po tayong gagawa ng mga classroom para sa ating mga kabataan,” Aquino added.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Aquino said the CAP Act is a vital step toward closing the country’s classroom gap and ensuring that every Filipino learner studies in a safe and conducive environment.
