TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25
-3 p6 :G5
SENATE
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CLASSROOM-BUILDING ACCELERATION 
PROGRAM (CAP), AUTHORIZING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND 
PRIVATE SECTOR ENTITIES TO UNDERTAKE CLASSROOM CONSTRUCTION 
PROJECTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
One of the most urgent and visible gaps in our education system today is the 
shortage of safe and adequate classrooms. According to the Second Congressional 
Commission on Education (EDCOMII), as of 2023, the country faces a backlog of over 
165,000 classrooms, a crisis that contributes to large class sizes, double or even triple 
shifts, and diminished learning outcomes for millions of Filipino learners.
This measure responds directly to this call to action by establishing the 
Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP), a mechanism that enables capable 
local government units (LGUs) and private sector entities to actively participate in the 
construction of classrooms in public schools within their jurisdictions.
While the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public 
Works and Highways (DPWH) remain the primary national agencies responsible for 
education infrastructure, they cannot address the classroom backlog alone. By 
authorizing and equipping LGUs and the private sector to build classrooms in 
compliance with national standards and guidelines, this measure aims to expand the 
government's delivery capacity and promote more responsive, locally-driven solutions 
to the classroom shortage.
The CAP will allow LGUs and private sector entities to submit project proposals 
for funding support from the national government, particularly through DepEd's 
infrastructure budget. The program also welcomes private sector participation through 
donations, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and other innovative financing 
mechanisms. LGUs that require assistance may receive technical support to meet 
construction standards and develop their capacity to implement PPPs.
This initiative reinforces the constitutional mandate of the State to provide 
quality education by ensuring that every Filipino learner has access to safe and


conducive learning spaces. It also aligns with the EDCOM II recommendation for 
stronger coordination and decentralization in education service delivery, and calls for 
mobilizing all levels of government, including LCDs, to address foundational learning 
challenges.
This program is not meant to replace national infrastructure programs but to 
complement and accelerate them by empowering local governments and the private 
sector to act swiftly and effectively. It reflects a whole-of-government, whole-of-nation 
approach to bridging the infrastructure gap and improving access to quality education.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL-3 36'.GS
SENATE 
121
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CLASSROOM-BUILDING ACCELERATION 
PROGRAM (CAP), AUTHORIZING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND 
PRIVATE SECTOR ENTITIES TO UNDERTAKE CLASSROOM CONSTRUCTION 
PROJECTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Classroom-Building
2 
Acceleration Program (CAP) Act"
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote quality education
4 
through adequate and accessible public school facilities. In recognition of the
5 
persistent classroom backlog across the country, the State shall adopt a whole-of-
6 
nation approach by enabling local government units (LGUs) and the private sector to
7 
actively participate in the construction of school buildings, in coordination with the
8 
Department of Education (DepEd), and supported by national government funding,
9 
private sector participation, and technical assistance.
10 
Sec. 3. Creation of the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP). - There is
11 
hereby established a Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP), which shall
12 
enable and authorize qualified LGUs and private sector entities to propose, plan, and
13 
access corresponding government funds for the implementation of classroom
14 
construction projects in public schools within their respective jurisdictions, in
15 
accordance with national standards and in coordination with DepEd.


1 
Sec. 4. Eligibility of Local Government Units and Private Sector Entities. - LGUs and
2 
private sector entities may participate in the CAP if they meet at least one of the
3 
following criteria:
4 
a) Demonstrated technical capacity to implement infrastructure projects;
5 
b) Willingness to undergo technical assistance and capacity-building support; or
6 
c) Proven track record in the successful implementation of infrastructure or
7 
education-related projects, as may be determined by the Department of
8 
Education and relevant oversight agencies.
9 
LGUs and private sector entities shall submit project proposals, including cost
10 
estimates, site plans, implementation timelines, and compliance with DepEd classroom
11 
design standards.
12 
Sec. 5. Program Management -The Department of Education shall serve as the lead
13 
implementing agency of the CAP. A CAP Secretariat shall be established within the
14 
DepEd Central Office to coordinate with stakeholders and to evaluate proposals,
15 
recommend funding allocations, and monitor implementation.
16 
Sec. 6. Funding Sources. - Funds for the implementation of classroom projects under
17 
the CAP shall be drawn from:
18 
a) The annual appropriations of DepEd for Basic Education Facilities;
19 
b) Other national government sources, subject to budgetary rules;
20 
c) Contributions from the private sector through corporate donations,
21 
foundations, or Public-Private Partnership (PPP) modalities.
22 
Provided, That the CAP may also accept official development assistance (ODA) and
23 
other international grants and donations, subject to existing laws.
24 
Sec. 7. Downloading of Funds. - Funds approved under the CAP may be released
25 
directly to LGUs and private entities upon compliance with documentary requirements
26 
and submission of approved project proposals. The use of funds shall be subject to


1 
auditing rules of the Commission on Audit (COA) and guidelines to be issued by DepEd
2 
and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
3 
Sec. 8. Public-Private Partnerships. - LCDs may implement classroom construction
4 
projects under the CAP through PPP arrangements in accordance with the PPP Code
5 
of the Philippines or other applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Technical assistance
6 
may be provided to LGUs to develop and manage PPPs for education infrastructure.
7 
Sec. 9. Capacity Building and Technical Assistance. - DepEd, in coordination with
8 
DILG, shall design and implement a capacity-building program for LGUs and private
9 
sector entities to:
10 
a) Ensure compliance with DepEd's classroom design standards;
11 
b) Strengthen planning, procurement, and project management capabilities;
12 
c) Enable LGUs and private sector entities to pursue PPPs for classroom building
13 
projects.
14 
Sec. 10. Monitoring and Reporting. - All LGU-implemented projects under the CAP
15 
shall be subject to regular monitoring and evaluation. LGUs shall submit quarterly
16 
progress reports to DepEd. A consolidated national report shall be submitted annually
17 
by DepEd to Congress.
18 
Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the initial phase of the
19 
CAP shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DepEd. Thereafter,
20 
such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of the program
21 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
22 
Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the
23 
effectivity of this Act, DepEd, in coordination with DILG, DBM, and DPWH, shall
24 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
25 
this Act.
26 
Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional
27 
or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and
28 
effect.


1 
Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
2 
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
3 
Sec. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
4 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,