Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2633
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative WALFREDO “ARMAN” R. DIMAGUILA, JR.

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

Every Filipino child deserves a classroom—a space where they can feel safe,
focused, and inspired to learn. But for millions of students across the country, this
most basic need remains unmet. The reality is heartbreaking: children squeezed into
overcrowded rooms, learning in shifts, or attending classes under makeshift roofs.

As highlighted by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM
II), the country faces a backlog of more than 165,000 classrooms as of 2023. This
gap is not just a matter of numbers, but a daily, lived experience for learners and
teachers who must endure conditions that make learning even more difficult.

This bill seeks to create the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program
(CAP), a program designed to mol e local government units (LGUs) and the
private sector to help fill this longstanding gap in our public-school infrastructure.
While the Department of Education and the Department of Public Works and Highways
continue to lead the charge, they cannot solve this crisis alone. With this measure, we
aim to open doors for capable LGUs and private entities to step in and help through
classroom construction projects that meet national standards and respond to local
needs.



We envision a partnership: one where communities are not just passive
recipients, but active builders of their children’s futures. The CAP allows LGUs and
private stakeholders to propose projects for funding support or to contribute through
donations, public-private partnerships, and other innovative ways. For LGUs that need
assistance, the program offers technical support so that no locality is left behind.

We also acknowledge and support the parallel efforts being undertaken in the
Senate by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, whose version of this bill
reflects the same urgency and belief that quality education begins with a decent space
to learn.

This is not about replacing national programs, but strengthening them. We
believe that when local governments are empowered and when the private sector is
welcomed to participate, we can move faster and reach farther. This is about working
together as one government and one nation, to keep our promise to every Filipino
child.

In the end, this measure is rooted in something simple but powerful: no child
should be denied a future just because we failed to build them a classroom.

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

2


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2633

Introduced by Representative WALFREDO “ARMAN” R. DIMAGUILA, JR.

1 AN ACT

2 ESTABLISHING THE CLASSROOM-BUILDING ACCELERATION PROGRAM
3. (CAP), AUTHORIZING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND PRIVATE SECTOR
4 ENTITIES TO UNDERTAKE CLASSROOM CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, AND
5 APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

10 Section 1. Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the "Classroom-Bullding
11 Acceleration Program (CAP) Act.”

12. Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to promote quality
13 education through adequate and accessible public school facilities. In recognition of
14 _ the persistent classroom backlog across the country, the State shall adopt a whole-of-
15 nation approach by enabling local government units (LGUs) and the private sector to
16 actively participate in the construction of school buildings, in coordination with the
17 Department of Education (DepEd), and supported by national government funding,
18 private sector participation, and technical assistance.


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Sec. 3. Creation of the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP). —
There is hereby established a Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP), which
shall enable and authorize qualified LGUs and private sector entities to propose, plan,
and access corresponding government funds for the implementation of classroom
construction projects in public schools within their respective jurisdictions, in
accordance with national standards and in coordination with DepEd.

Sec. 4. Eligibility of Local Government Units and Private Sector Entities. -—
LGUs and private sector entities may participate in the CAP if they meet at least one
of the following criteria:

a) Demonstrated technical capacity to implement infrastructure projects;
b) Willingness to undergo technical assistance and capacity-building support; or

c) Proven track record in the successful implementation of infrastructure or
education-related projects, as may be determined by the Department of
Education and relevant oversight agencies.

LGUs and private sector entities shall submit project proposals, including cost
estimates, site plans, implementation timelines, and compliance with DepEd classroom
design standards.

Sec. 5. Program Management. - The Department of Education shall serve as the
lead implementing agency of the CAP. A CAP Secretariat shall be established within
the DepEd Central Office to coordinate with stakeholders and to evaluate proposals,
recommend funding allocations, and monitor implementation.

Sec. 6. Funding Sources, — Funds for the implementation of classroom projects
under the CAP shall be drawn from:

a) The annual appropriations of DepEd for Basic Education Facilities;

b) Other national government sources, subject to budgetary rules;

c) Contributions from the private sector through corporate donations,
foundations, or Public-Private Partnership (PPP) modalities.


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Provided, That the CAP may also accept official development assistance (ODA) and
other international grants and donations, subject to existing laws. Moreover, the Local
School Board of an LGU may, at its option and in accordance with the provisions of
the Local Government Code and Department of Education guidelines, authorize the
use of its Special Education Fund (SEF) as collateral or guarantee to access financing
or appropriations under this Act. Such collateralization shall be governed by rules to
be issued by DepEd, DBM, and the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), in
consultation with the Commission on Audit (COA).

Sec. 7. Downloading of Funds. — Funds approved under the CAP may be released
directly to LGUs and private entities upon compliance with documentary requirements
and submission of approved project proposals. The use of funds shall be subject to
auditing rules of the Commission on Audit (COA) and guidelines to be issued by DepEd
and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Sec. 8. Public-Private Partnerships. - \GUs may implement classroom
construction projects under the CAP through PPP arrangements in accordance with
the PPP Code of the Philippines or other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Technical assistance may be provided to LGUs to develop and manage PPPs for
education infrastructure.

Sec. 9. Capacity Building and Technical Assistance. — DepEd, in coordination
with DILG, shall design and implement a capacity-building program for LGUs and
private sector entities to:

a) Ensure compliance with DepEd’s classroom design standards;

b) Strengthen planning, procurement, and project management capabilities;

c) Enable LGUs and private sector entities to pursue PPPs for classroom building
projects.

Sec. 10. Monitoring and Reporting. — A\l LGU-implemented projects under the
CAP shall be subject to regular monitoring and evaluation. LGUs shall submit quarterly
progress reports to DepEd. A consolidated national report shall be submitted annually
by DepEd to Congress.


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Sec. 11. Appropriations, - The amount necessary to implement the initial phase of
the CAP shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DepEd. Thereafter,
such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of the program
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, DepEd, in coordination with DILG, DBM, and DPWH, shall
promulgate 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 provisions not affected shall continue to be
in full force and effect.

Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended 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,