THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) is fast-tracking the establishment of prefabricated, disaster-resilient classrooms to address classroom shortages in areas affected by calamities.

The initiative, known as Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS), provides a fast and cost-effective solution to classroom gaps while ensuring that learners can continue their studies without disruption.

Based on the latest data, a total of 878 LCS units under the program’s first two phases are currently being implemented. Of this number, 453 classrooms are under construction, 391 are in the procurement stage, and 34 have been completed and are ready for use.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that these projects serve as crucial temporary solutions to address severe classroom shortages in the short term while using durable and quality materials.

“Ayon sa utos ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, kailangang bilisan natin ang pagpapatayo ng mga ligtas na pasilidad upang matiyak ang tuluy-tuloy na pagkatuto ng ating mga mag-aaral, lalo na sa mga lugar na madalas tamaan ng kalamidad,” Angara said.

“Sa pamamagitan ng mabilisang pag-rollout ng mga makabagong LCS na ito, mas mabilis nating natutugunan ang kakulangan sa silid-aralan nang may mataas na kalidad,” he added.

The program is also being expanded through the procurement of two five-classroom buildings at Romana C. Acharon Elementary School and H.N. Cahilsot Central Elementary School in General Santos City, with completion targeted within the month.