The Department of Budget and Management has released a total of P19.055 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways to fund projects for school improvements.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the release of the DPWH’s proposed fund allocation, which includes P15.52 billion under the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF), P2.61 billion for the Last Mile Schools Program, and P925 million for the conservation and restoration of Gabaldon and other heritage school buildings, the DBM said in a statement on Tuesday, September 9.
The release of funds was pursuant to Special Provision Nos. 5, 21, and 22 of the Department of Education (DepEd) under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) to build and renovate public school classrooms and other facilities nationwide.
“For the BEFF, a total of P8.35 billion has been released through the issuance of various Special Allotment Release Orders (SARO), while more than P7.166 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 Jan. 20, 2025,” the DBM said.
The BEFF is intended to decongest classrooms and bring better, safer, and conducive learning environments to students in high-need areas.
The initiative is part of the P28.056-billion total allocation under the BEFF in the agency-specific budget of the DepEd under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
Around P23.838 billion of the P28.056-billion allocation under the BEFF was transferred to the DPWH for the implementation of infrastructure components.
From the recent SARO releases, P2.969 billion will cover the construction of 939 new classrooms in 235 sites nationwide; P4.887 billion will be for the repair and rehabilitation of 6,275 classrooms in 546 sites; and P498.750 million will be for the installation and upgrading of water systems, toilets, hand washing stations, and other health and sanitation facilities in 176 schools, the DBM said.
The DBM added that P2.610 billion of the P2.985 billion transferred to the DPWH for the Last Mile Schools Program has been released to bring quality education to far-flung and underserved communities.
The released funds for the Last Mile School Programs will be used for 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.
“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,” Pangandaman said.
For the conservation and restoration of 404 heritage schools, including the Gabaldon buildings, the DBM released P925 million out of the P1.134 billion allocated for the program.
The fund will be used for site improvements such as leveling the school grounds, ensuring the structural safety of the buildings, and clearing away unsafe or obstructive structures around them.
To make schools more inclusive, the improvements include accessibility features such as ramps and disability-friendly amenities. (PNA)
