In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize strengthening the country’s education sector, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has approved the release of a total of  ₱19.055 billion for school improvements.

 

This consists of ₱15.52 billion under the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF), ₱2.61 billion for the Last Mile Schools Program, and ₱925 million for the Conservation and Restoration of Gabaldon and Other Heritage School Buildings.

 

All funds were released directly to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) pursuant to Special Provision Nos. 5, 21 and 22 of the Department of Education (DepEd) under the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), Republic Act (R.A.) No. 12116, to build and renovate public school classrooms and other facilities throughout the country.

 

 

For the BEFF, a total of ₱8.35 billion has been released through the issuance of various Special Allotment Release Orders (SARO), while more than ₱7.166 billion has been released under the General Appropriations Act as the Allotment Order (GAAAO) as prescribed in Annex A-1 of the National Budget Circular No. 595 dated January 20, 2025.

 

“Meron po tayong series of releases ng Special Allotment Release Order o SARO, on top of the allocation provided under the GAA, na inaprubahan sa ilalim ng Basic Education Facilities Fund, para sa pagpapagawa at pag-aayos ng ating mga eskwelahan. This is to help decongest classrooms and bring better, safer, and conducive learning environments to students in high-need areas, which is aligned with the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to further strengthen our education sector,” said Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.  

 

This initiative is part of the ₱28.056 billion total allocation under the BEFF in the Agency-Specific Budget of the DepEd under the FY 2025 GAA, R.A.  No. 12116. Of this amount, ₱23.838 billion was transferred to the DPWH for the implementation of infrastructure components.

 

“Alinsunod sa direktiba ng ating mahal na Pangulo, hindi lang po natin pinalalakas ang manpower sa education sector, sinasamahan din po natin ito ng maayos at mas matibay na mga pasilidad para matuto ang mga mag-aaral at makapagturo nang maayos ang ating mga guro. Because when we take care of our teachers, students, and classrooms all at the same time, we build a stronger foundation for every Filipino child's future,” Secretary Amenah stated.  

 

From the recent SARO releases, ₱2.969 billion covers the construction of 939 new classrooms in 235 sites all over the Philippines. To address the wear and tear of existing facilities, another ₱4.887 billion will go to the repair and rehabilitation of 6,275 classrooms in 546 sites. In addition, ₱498.750 million will go to the installation and upgrading of water systems, toilets, hand washing stations, and other health and sanitation facilities in 176 schools.  

 

Meanwhile, out of the ₱2.985 billion that was transferred to the DPWH, ₱2.610 billion has been released for the Last Mile Schools Program, which aims to bring quality education closer to far-flung and underserved communities. This supports the construction of 447 new classrooms, as well as the replacement and completion of kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school buildings. It will also provide technical-vocational laboratories and other essential facilities in 143 sites nationwide.

 

“Hindi po natin nakakalimutan ang ating mga mag-aaral sa mga liblib na lugar. With our fund release for the Last Mile Program, we are giving our students in remote areas the same opportunities to learn and succeed as those in urban centers. On top of this, we have released a substantial amount to preserve and renovate our heritage school buildings,” the Budget Secretary explained.

 

For the conservation and restoration of 404 heritage schools like the Gabaldon buildings,  out of ₱1.134 billion, ₱925 million was released. This program involves site improvements such as the leveling school grounds, ensuring the structural safety of the buildings, and clearing away unsafe or obstructive structures around them.

 

To make schools more inclusive, these improvements include accessibility features such as ramps and disability-friendly amenities.

 

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Ika-9 ng Setyembre 2025  

 

 

Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na gawing prayoridad ang pagpapalakas ng sektor ng edukasyon sa bansa, inaprubahan ni Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman ang pagpapalabas ng kabuuang ₱19.055 bilyon para sa pagpapabuti ng mga paaralan.

 

Ito ay binubuo ng ₱15.52 bilyon sa ilalim ng Basic Education Facilities (BEFF), ₱2.61  bilyon para sa Last Mile Schools Program, at ₱925 milyon para sa Conservation and Restoration of Gabaldon and Other Heritage School Buildings.

 

Ang lahat ng pondo ay direktang inilabas sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), alinsunod sa Special Provision Nos. 5, 21 at 22 ng Department of Education (DepEd) sa ilalim ng FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), Republic Act (R.A.) No. 12116, para sa pagpapatayo at pag-renovate ng mga silid-aralan at iba pang pasilidad sa pampublikong paaralan sa buong bansa.

 

Para sa BEFF, may kabuuang ₱8.35 bilyon ang nailabas sa pamamagitan ng pag-isyu ng mga Special Allotment Release Orders (SARO), habang mahigit ₱7.166 bilyon naman ang nailabas sa ilalim ng General Appropriations Act as the Allotment Order (GAAAO), na nakasaad sa Annex A-1 ng National Budget Circular No. 595 na may petsang Enero 20, 2025.

 

“Meron po tayong series of releases ng Special Allotment Release Order o SARO, on top of the allocation provided under the GAA, na inaprubahan sa ilalim ng Basic Education Facilities Fund, para sa pagpapagawa at pag-aayos ng ating mga eskwelahan. This is to help decongest classrooms and bring better, safer, and conducive learning environments to students in high-need areas, which is aligned with the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to further strengthen our education sector,” ani Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.  

 

Ang inisyatibang ito ay bahagi ng ₱28.056 bilyon na kabuuang alokasyon sa ilalim ng BEFF sa Agency-Specific Budget ng DepEd sa ilalim ng FY 2025 GAA, R.A. No. 12116. Sa halagang ito, ₱23.838 bilyon ang inilipat sa DPWH para sa pagpapatupad ng mga infrastructure components.

 

“Alinsunod sa direktiba ng ating mahal na Pangulo, hindi lang po natin pinalalakas ang manpower sa education sector, sinasamahan din po natin ito ng maayos at mas matibay na mga pasilidad para matuto ang mga mag-aaral at makapagturo nang maayos ang ating mga guro. Because when we take care of our teachers, students, and classrooms all at the same time, we build a stronger foundation for every Filipino child's future,” ayon kay Secretary Amenah.

 

Mula sa mga huling SARO releases, ₱2.969 bilyon ang sumasaklaw sa pagtatayo ng 939 na mga bagong silid-aralan sa 235 na lugar sa buong Pilipinas. Upang matugunan ang pagkasira ng mga kasalukuyang pasilidad, isa pang ₱4.887 bilyon ang mapupunta sa pagkukumpuni at rehabilitasyon ng 6,275 na silid-aralan sa 546 na lugar. Dagdag pa dito, ₱498.750 milyon ang mapupunta sa pag-install at pag-upgrade ng mga water systems, mga palikuran, hand washing stations, at iba pang health and sanitation facilities sa 176 na paaralan.

 

Samantala, mula sa ₱2.985 bilyon na ibinigay sa DPWH, ₱2.610 bilyon ang inilabas para sa Last Mile Schools Program, na naglalayong ilapit ang de-kalidad na edukasyon sa mga malalayong lugar at komunidad na nangangailangan ng serbisyo. Sinusuportahan din nito ang pagtatayo ng 447 na mga bagong silid-aralan, gayundin ang pagpapalit at pagkumpleto ng school buildings para sa kindergarten, elementary, at secondary. Makapagbibigay din ito ng mga technical-vocational laboratories at iba pang mahahalagang pasilidad sa 143 sites sa buong bansa.

 

“Hindi po natin nakakalimutan ang ating mga mag-aaral sa mga liblib na lugar. With our fund release for the Last Mile Program, we are giving our students in remote areas the same opportunities to learn and succeed as those in urban centers. On top of this, we have released a  substantial amount to preserve and renovate our heritage school buildings,” pagpapaliwanag ng Kalihim.

 

Mula sa ₱1.134 billion, ₱925 million ang inilabas para sa conservation at restoration ng 404 heritage schools, katulad ng Gabaldon buildings. Saklaw ng programang ito ang site improvements gaya ng pagpapatag ng mga bakuran ng paaralan, pagtiyak sa kaligtasan ng istraktura ng mga gusali, at pag-alis ng mga hindi ligtas o nakahahadlang na mga istraktura sa kanilang paligid.

 

Upang gawing mas ingklusibo ang mga paaralan, kasama sa mga pagpapahusay na ito ang accessibility features, gaya ng ramps at disability-friendly amenities.

 

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