Aquino’s bill for bid to fix education woes gets DepEd’s nod

Ian Paolo Villacencio

Tackling the country’s worsening education crisis, Education Secretary Sonny Angara has expressed strong support for Senator Bam Aquino’s proposed Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) Act, a measure aimed at resolving the nationwide classroom shortage.

The measure, filed by Aquino upon his return to the Senate, seeks to authorize capable local government units and private entities to build standardized classrooms, with funding support from the national government.

Secretary Angara lauded the initiative, noting that it is aligned with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) ongoing efforts to reduce classroom backlogs and improve learning environments across the country.

Aquino welcomed Angara’s endorsement, emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address the shortage.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo kay Secretary Angara sa kanyang suporta sa ating panukala na makatutulong para resolbahin ang napakalaking kakulangan sa classroom ng ating bansa. Kailangan natin ang tulong ng bawat isa para ito’y masolusyunan para sa kapakanan ng ating mga estudyante,”Aquino stated.

According to the second-year report of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), the country faces a backlog of around 165,000 classrooms—a gap that has forced many public schools to adopt multiple class shifts or alternative delivery methods.

In addition to pushing for faster classroom construction, Aquino reaffirmed his support for DepEd’s legislative agenda, including the expansion of RA 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, which he originally championed as principal sponsor during the 17th Congress. 

Aside from these, he also filed these education-related measures, such as the E-Textbook Para Sa Lahat Act, School-to-Employment Program (STEP) Act, amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (RA 10931), the Bayanihan Work Program Act, Adopt-A-School Act of 2025, Angat Sweldo Para sa Guro Act, Libreng RLE Act, Student Discount Para sa Load Act, and the Private Education Voucher Expansion (PEVE) Act.

“We’re currently facing an education crisis that must be addressed urgently. We hope these bills help address the situation and respond to other pressing needs of our education system, so every Filipino student can enjoy the quality education they rightfully deserve,” said Aquino, in a Senate press release on June 30.

On the other hand, after the DepEd secretary’s approval, the senator also vowed to fight for an increased education budget to support the department’s broader goals.

“Naririto tayo para suportahan ang mga proyekto, programa, at mga polisiya na nais isulong ng DepEd para maresolba ang mga isyung kinakaharap ng ating sistemang pang-edukasyon,” Aquino addressed.