SENATOR Joel Villanueva is pushing to revitalize public-private partnerships in the country’s education system through proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 8525, or the Adopt-A-School Act of 1998.

Villanueva filed Senate Bill No. 2146 to address persistent bottlenecks that have hindered the law’s effective implementation since its enactment.

The senator noted that while the law was originally intended to encourage corporations, organizations, and individuals to support public schools, data from congressional oversight showed that only a fraction of the available tax incentives had been availed of over the years.

The proposed measure seeks to broaden the scope of assistance to public educational institutions to cover infrastructure development, classroom construction, facility upgrades, and the provision of books, modern learning technologies, and inclusive learning resources.

It also seeks to extend support to faculty and staff development, including professional training for teachers, as well as programs designed to enhance students’ employability and workforce readiness.

To address bureaucratic hurdles, the bill proposes clearer administrative procedures and stronger coordination among key government agencies, including the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). These measures aim to ensure that assistance is efficiently directed toward priority areas.

Under the proposed amendments, participating private entities may also enjoy enhanced tax deductions and other incentives to encourage sustained investments in public education.

Villanueva stressed that improving the quality of education requires shared responsibility between the government and the private sector.

By strengthening strategic partnerships and streamlining bureaucratic processes, the proposed measure seeks to mobilize more private sector resources and channel them directly to public schools and communities where support is needed most.