‘INSUFFICIENT GOV’T FUNDS?’: W. Visayas needs over 13,000 more classrooms

By John Noel E. Herrera

Elementary and secondary schools in Western Visayas need over 13,000 more classrooms to close the gap or the shortage in learning facilities in the region, according to the Department of Education (DepEd)-6.

DepEd-6’s Basic Education Learning Continuity and Recovery Plan (BELCRP) indicated that 13,297 classrooms are needed by different learning institutions in the region, as of March 2023.

Negros Occidental needs around 7,837 more classrooms, while Sagay City needs 1,048 more facilities; Capiz (890), Antique (728), Aklan (472), Sipalay City (434), Iloilo province (373), Bacolod City (334), Roxas City (311), Kabankalan City (283), Escalante City (122), Victorias City (115), Passi City (88), Silay City (84), Cadiz City (80), and San Carlos City (78), and La Carlota City with 20 additional classrooms needed.

The Schools Division Offices (SDOs) of Iloilo City, Bago City, Himamaylan City, and Guimaras province reported that they have ample classrooms.

DepEd-6 previously said schools that need additional classrooms have been affected by past calamities, noting that some spaces that were previously up for replacement or reconstruction were no longer considered safe for learners.

Some calamities that hit the region include typhoon Odette and Tropical Depression Agathon, which destroyed a total of 352 classrooms, based on DepEd-6’s Rapid Assessment of Damages Report (RADAR).

LACK OF FUNDS

In a virtual press conference on April 20, 2023, DepEd-6 regional director Dr. Ramir B. Uytico stressed that one of the reasons for the classroom backlog, not just in the region, but in the entire country, is the lack of government funds for constructing the said facilities.

“Ako matagal na ako sa DepEd, wala talagang katapusan ang pag-provide ng classrooms, noong elementary hanggang ngayon, ‘yan pa rin ang problema because the government does not have enough funds for the construction of buildings,” Uytico said.

The DepEd central office earlier said that they are looking at other funding sources outside the national budget to address the around 160,000 classroom shortage in the country, just like getting money from private organizations and foreign governments.

DepEd Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said the agency would be able to address the gap in seven years if it had a P100-billion budget for classroom construction every year, noting that the backlog has already affected at least four to five million students nationwide.

DepEd also eyes integrating blended learning (a mix of in-person and online classes) in education programs of schools to address the problem of classroom backlog.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), on the other hand, stressed that the Marcos administration should allocate more funding for the education sector, citing that the BBm infrastructure program has a P1.2 trillon budget in 2023, while classroom construction only has P15.6 billion in funds.

Meanwhile, DepEd said that different Local Government Units (LGUs) can help in implementing projects to help address classroom shortage through their funds and programs, like the Special Education Funds.

In Iloilo province, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said they continued facilitating projects related to the construction of more classrooms at the municipal level to address the nationwide problem of shortage of learning facilities.

In November 2022, 34 elementary and secondary schools in Iloilo received a total of P100.93 million in funds sourced from the provincial government’s Special Education Fund (SEF), which will be used for the construction of school buildings and rehabilitation and repair of learning facilities.

The provincial government noted that they allotted over P200 million to the SEF this year with priority programs and projects of building extra classrooms for the full implementation of face-to-face classes; enhancing farm schools; water systems; restrooms and laundry facilities; purchasing educational materials and dental supplies, among others.