WITH over 165,000 additional classrooms needed to accommodate the growing student population, EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo suggested exploring strategies that involve the private sector’s expertise and resources.

“Let’s be honest, we won’t be able to address the 165,000 classroom backlog anytime soon. It’s not just a funding issue—there are numerous logistical and bureaucratic challenges. We should not shy away from working with private contractors,” Romulo said.

Kristina Armengol from the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center echoed this, noting that several PPP projects could be utilized to address classroom shortages and maintenance issues.

Armengol highlighted that one underutilized provision in classroom PPP contracts allows private partners to handle repairs and maintenance after the turnover of school facilities. However, there is no proper reporting mechanism to ensure accountability.

DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral expressed support for expanding PPP projects but stressed the importance of stricter contracts with clearly defined responsibilities for better risk management.

“Lessons from past PPP projects, such as delays and substandard construction, must be considered in future partnerships,” said Education Programs Management Office Director Atty. Tara Rama.

She also mentioned that DepEd’s newly created Planning, Policy, Monitoring, and Evaluation Strand is prioritizing collaborations like joint ventures and development partnerships to meet the growing demand for educational facilities.