SENATOR Joseph Victor Ejercito wants the government to give priority to the repair and rehabilitation of classrooms over the construction of schools.

Ejercito observed that the budget allocation for repairs decreased to P1.5 billion from P6.5 billion as proposed in the National Expenditure Program submitted by the Department of Budget and Management.

The budget cut, he noted, was realigned for the construction of new school buildings.

“I’m worried because, as you know, we are in the Pacific Ring of Fire, we are always visited by about 20 typhoons, are prone to calamities, and this is the low hanging fruit… it is much easier, faster to rehabilitate and repair classrooms that can be used right away than to construct new classrooms,” the senator said.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, sponsor of the Department of Education budget, agreed with Ejercito.

However, she said that the agency has its prioritization for the construction of new buildings: schools with learners having classes in makeshift or open spaces, and other alternative learning spaces; schools with remaining classroom requirements shortage; replacement of school buildings totally damaged by typhoons and other calamities; schools located in geographically isolated, disadvantage and conflict areas; schools damaged by calamities that are not included in the Quick Response Fund; and schools with no program construction for the past five years.

Still, Ejercito said that he wants the budget for the rehabilitation of classrooms destroyed by past typhoons restored.

“I think it will be more practical and it will be utilized by our students easily,” he added.