ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio criticized the Marcos administration for what he described as an “inadequate and disappointing” response to the country’s worsening education crisis—particularly in addressing classroom shortages and teacher welfare.

In a privilege speech before the House of Representatives, Tinio dismissed the President’s claim that 2,000 classrooms had been built over the past three years as “paltry.”

“Just 2,000? Is this what Marcos Jr. means when he says education is a priority? It’s disappointing,” Tinio said.

He also pointed out that the administration’s target of building 40,000 classrooms by the end of its term is significantly lower than what’s needed.

“Even DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara admitted there’s a backlog of 165,000 classrooms. The government’s goal is not only conservative—it falls drastically short, especially compared to previous administrations,” he said.

Tinio highlighted recurring issues teachers and students face every school year, citing them as symptoms of systemic neglect.

“On the first day of classes, our teachers and students immediately face problems—low salaries, overcrowded classrooms, and chronic underfunding,” he said.

He also decried how even simple school events like intramurals are often left without funding, leaving teachers to pay out of pocket.

“Even for school events, it’s the teachers who bear the costs because no budget is allocated,” Tinio lamented.

He called on the government to translate its promises into genuine investment and reforms.

“If the administration is serious about making education a priority, it must address not just infrastructure, but also teacher welfare and the quality of student learning,” he said.

The ACT Teachers bloc is expected to push for increased education funding, improved teacher salaries, and better working conditions during the upcoming budget hearings.