SENATOR Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1482, or the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program, which seeks to construct between 600 and 1,000 new classrooms every week.

In his co-sponsorship speech delivered during the Senate plenary session, Pangilinan urged his colleagues to pass the proposed measure, which aims to address the backlog in public school classrooms.

“In closing, Mr. President, dear colleagues, the future of education, the strength of our communities, and the dignity of the Filipino learner depend on what we do next,” he said.

“Let us support the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program and build 600 to 1,000 classrooms every week. Let us rebuild with urgency, creativity, and compassion,” he added.

Pangilinan pointed out that the classroom shortage was not solely due to recent typhoons, noting that the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) had already reported a backlog of around 165,000 classrooms.

He explained that the measure—originally proposed by Senator Bam Aquino—would restore the authority for classroom construction to the Department of Education, local government units, and the private sector.

According to Pangilinan, during the Aquino administration, around 600 school buildings were constructed weekly through Public-Private Partnerships and a matching program, where the national government and LGUs shared the cost of building classrooms.

“Nagawa na noon, kayang gawin ulit ngayon — at ito ang layunin ng Senate Bill 1482,” he emphasized.

“Dinisenyo ito upang maging mabilis, mahusay, at matapat ang pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan — walang labis, walang kulang, at higit sa lahat, walang kickback,” Pangilinan added.