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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4392

Introduced by Representative Carlos Andes Loria

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish the classroom acceleration program and
authorize local government units and private entities to undertake classroom
construction projects.

Every day, in countless public schools across the country, Filipino children
squeeze into overcrowded classrooms, sometimes sharing a desk with two or
three classmates. Others attend classes in makeshift rooms, under tents, or in
borrowed spaces because there are not enough classrooms to hold them. This is
not merely an inconvenience, it is a barrier to learning, a risk to safety, and an
affront to the dignity of our learners.

According to the Second Congressional Commission on Education
(EDCOM 11), as of 2023, the Philippines faces a staggering backlog of over
165,000 classrooms. This shortage forces schools into double or even triple shifts,
burdens teachers with unmanageable class sizes, and erodes the quality of
education that Filipino children receive. Unless addressed with urgency, the gap
will only widen, leaving more learners behind. A similar measure, Senate Bill
No. 121, was filed in the Twentieth Congress by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam”
A. Aquino IV, underscoring the growing recognition of the need for a whole-of-
nation solution to the classroom crisis.

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH) remain the primary agencies tasked with
education infrastructure. However, the sheer magnitude of the backlog has


outpaced their capacity to respond. It is clear that the challenge is too great for
the national government alone. We need more hands, more resources, and
stronger partnerships on the ground.

This bill proposes the establishment of the classroom acceleration program,
a mechanism that empowers capable local government units (LGUs) and
encourages private sector participation to directly undertake classroom
construction, repair, and upgrading. Under the program, qualified LGUs and
accredited private partners may propose, design, finance, and implement
classroom projects, strictly following national standards. Funding support from
the national goverment may be supplemented by corporate donations,
international assistance, and innovative arrangements such as public-private
partnerships (PPPs). For LGUs that require guidance, the program provides
technical and capacity-building support to ensure quality, safety, and compliance.

Importantly, this measure does not replace existing national infrastructure
programs but complements and accelerates them. By opening the doors for LGUs,
local communities, and private entities to directly contribute, the program enables
a faster, more responsive, and locally attuned solution to the classroom shortage.
It reflects the whole-of-government, whole-of-nation approach envisioned by
EDCOM II: a recognition that education is not only the responsibility of one
agency, but a shared national mission.

The bill also builds in accountability and sustainability safeguards. All
projects must adhere to DepEd and DPWH’s classroom design standards to
ensure safe and conducive learning spaces. A Secretariat within DepEd will
oversee program management, maintain a publicly accessible database of
projects, and ensure transparency in fund releases. To guarantee long-term
benefits, all classroom projects must include a sustainability and maintenance
plan, while annual monitoring and reporting requirements ensure legislative
oversight and public accountability.


Our Constitution guarantees every Filipino child the right to quality
education. That right begins with a safe and conducive place to learn. This bill
aims to turn the tide on the classroom crisis by harnessing the collective effort of
the national government, local governments, private partners, and communities.
Every day we delay, another child loses a chance to learn better and dream bigger.
With this measure, we take a decisive step toward giving our children the learning
environment they deserve and securing a brighter future for the nation.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

CARLOS LORIA


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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4392

Introduced by Representative Carlos Andes Loria

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE CLASSROOM ACCELERATION PROGRAM,
AUTHORIZING FOR THE PURPOSE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UNITS AND PRIVATE SECTOR ENTITIES TO UNDERTAKE
CLASSROOM CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Classroom
Acceleration Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and
promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and take
appropriate steps to make education accessible by ensuring the availability of

adequate, safe, and well-equipped public school facilities.


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Towards this end, and in cognizance of persistent classroom backlog
nationwide, the State shall adopt a whole-of-nation approach to address the gap
in education infrastructure, including the active participation of local government
units (LGUs) and private sector entities in the planning, financing, and
construction of public school classrooms.

SEC. 3. Classroom Acceleration Program. — The Classroom Acceleration
Program, hereinafter referred to as the “Program,” is established to expedite the
construction, repair, and upgrading of public school classrooms nationwide.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is authorized to enter into
agreements with qualified local government units (LGUs) and accredited private
sector for the implementation of classroom construction projects. The
construction of classrooms under the agreements must be in accordance with the
standards, specifications, and policies of DepEd and applicable national
building standards and in coordination with other concerned government
agencies to ensure compliance, efficiency, and quality of implementation .

SEC. 4. Eligibility. — To participate in the Program, LGUs and private
sector entities must:

a. Demonstrate, or commit to develop, the technical capacity to

implement infrastructure projects;

b. Undertake to comply with DepEd classroom design standards and

undergo technical assistance and capacity-building support when

necessary; or


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c. Establish a track record of successful implementation of infrastructure
or education-related projects, as may be determined by DepEd and
relevant oversight agencies.

Eligible entities shall submit project proposals containing cost estimates,
site plans, implementation timelines, and compliance with DepEd and
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) classroom design
standards, specifications and policies.

SEC. 5. Program Management. — As the lead agency, DepEd shall
establish a Secretariat, which shall perform the following:

a. Receive and evaluate proposals;

b. Recommend funding allocations;

c. Coordinate with DPWH, Department of the Interior and Local

Government, Department of Budget and Management, Commission on
Audit and other relevant government agencies;

d. Ensure strict adherence to timelines and standards; and

e. Maintain a publicly accessible online database of all Program-funded
projects, indicating project location, implementing entity, cost,
contractor, and completion status.

SEC. 6, Funding Sources. - The Program shall be sourced from:

a. Basic Education Facilities of DepEd;

b. Other national government sources, subject to budgetary laws;


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c. Contributions from the private sector through corporate donations,

foundations, or public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements; and

d. Official Development Assistance (ODA) and other international grants

and donations, subject to existing laws.

SEC. 7. Release and Use of Funds. — The funds for the Program shall be
released directly to participating LGUs or private entities upon submission of
complete documentary requirements and approval of the project proposal by the
DepEd, subject to auditing rules of the Commission on Audit and guidelines
issued jointly by DepEd and DBM for the purpose.

Any misuse, diversion, or delay in the use of funds shall render the
responsible officials and entities liable under existing laws, rules, and regulations.

SEC. 8. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). — DepEd and LGUs may
implement classroom projects through PPP arrangements in accordance with
Republic Act No. 11966, otherwise known as the “Public-Private Partnership
(PPP) Code of the Philippines” and other applicable laws. The DPWH shall
extend technical assistance to DepEd and LGUs for developing and managing
PPPs for education infrastructure.

SEC. 9. Capacity Building and Technical Assistance. — The DepEd and
DPWH, in coordination with the DILG, shall implement a capacity-building
program to:

a. Ensure compliance with the classroom design standards, specifications

and policies;


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b. Strengthen planning, procurement, and project management

capabilities; and

c. Enable LGUs and private sector partners to pursue PPPs for classroom

construction projects effectively.

SEC. 10. Monitoring and Reporting. — All infrastructure projects under
the Program must undergo regular monitoring and evaluation. Participating
LGUs and private sectors shall submit quarterly progress reports to DepEd,
DepEd shall consolidate these into a national annual report for submission to
Congress.

SEC. 11. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of the Program shall be charged against the unobligated
appropriation of the current Basic Education Facilities of DepEd. Thereafter,
such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of the Program
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall, in coordination
with the Secretaries of the Interior and Local Government, Budget and
Management and Public Works and Highways, issue the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall

remain in full force and effect.


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SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - Special Provision No. 5 under the
Department of Education in RA 12116 or the FY 2025 General Appropriation
Act is amended to authorize DepEd to enter into agreements with LGUs in the
construction of classrooms. All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and
regulations, or parts hereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 15. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,