MANILA (September 20) – The Department of Education (DepEd) has launched an audit of its joint infrastructure projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) after reports surfaced that about 1,000 classrooms nationwide remain incomplete.
DepEd issued a directive on September 12 requiring all regional and division offices to submit reports on unfinished school buildings, citing issues such as prolonged stoppages, incomplete deliveries, or structural defects.
In a radio interview, Education Secretary Sonny Angara confirmed that many of these classrooms were already turned over despite being unfinished.
“Some were handed over without paint, electricity, or proper completion. They’re not ghost projects, but they’re not fully usable either,” Angara said.
The education chief assured the public that the agency is investigating the delays and has instructed DepEd engineers to reconcile project records with the DPWH. Validated reports must be submitted to the Education Facilities Division within 15 working days, while regional engineers are expected to consolidate findings.
Angara also emphasized the importance of allowing local government units (LGUs) to take part in classroom construction to fast-track the reduction of the backlog.
“If we don’t change our system, we won’t solve the problem. The shortage will just keep getting worse,” he stressed.
Currently, the DepEd estimates a classroom shortage of about 165,000 nationwide. At the DPWH’s present construction rate, only a little over 4,000 classrooms are built annually—far short of the demand.
