HOUSE Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III hailed Filipino educators as pillars of society as he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fast-track classroom construction nationwide to improve the quality of education.

Dy delivered his message as guest of honor during the 21st Founding Anniversary of the Schools Division Office of Cauayan City, Isabela, where teachers, education officials, and stakeholders gathered to celebrate more than two decades of service to the local education sector.

In his speech, Dy expressed gratitude to educators for their vital role in shaping the youth and strengthening communities, emphasizing their continued importance in nation-building.

“Every time I have the opportunity to face our teachers, I always want to thank you because you are the pillars of our society,” Dy said, noting that teachers help mold disciplined and resilient citizens.

He stressed that building the nation’s future is a shared responsibility among teachers, parents, and the broader community.

“This is not only the fight of our teachers but the responsibility of all of us… we must work together to secure a better future for our children,” he added.

The Speaker also highlighted ongoing efforts to address the country’s classroom shortage, underscoring the need for stronger coordination between local government units and the Department of Education.

Dy noted that under the leadership of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara and the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., local governments have been empowered to help implement nationwide school infrastructure programs.

“Through this program, we can match the number of classrooms to the growing number of students,” Dy said, emphasizing that adequate facilities are crucial to effective learning.

He added that improving school infrastructure would enable teachers to better focus on nurturing students’ abilities and academic growth.

“With better classrooms, we can further maximize the talent and dedication of our teachers to ensure a brighter future for our youth,” he said.

Dy’s remarks came as the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture recently approved a proposed Classroom-Building Acceleration Program, aimed at expediting the construction, repair, and upgrading of public school classrooms nationwide.

The measure seeks to mobilize resources from the national government, local government units, and the private sector to address the long-standing classroom backlog. It designates the Department of Education as the lead implementing agency, with authority to partner with qualified LGUs and accredited private entities.

The bill also mandates the creation of a national school congestion mapping system to identify areas with the most urgent classroom shortages and prioritize infrastructure development.

Lawmakers said the initiative reflects a whole-of-nation approach to strengthening the education system—ensuring that Filipino teachers, regarded by Dy as the backbone of society, are equipped with the facilities needed to help learners succeed.