DepEd, HOPE, launches “Generation Hope” to address classroom backlog

Yahya Ibrahim Yusop

The Department of Education (DepEd) and HOPE, in partnership with private companies, launched an education initiative called Generation Hope to address the country’s classroom shortage, House Speaker Martin Romualdez announced on August 28.

The program involves companies such as SM, Penshoppe, Grab, Aivee Clinic, Carmen’s Best, Sunnies, and Banco de Oro to mobilize resources for additional classrooms.

Romualdez emphasized the government’s plan to build 40,000 new classrooms by 2028, aligning with 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goal of at least one graduate per Filipino family.

“Ang proyektong ito ay hindi lamang pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan kundi pagbibigay ng konkretong pag-asa sa bawat batang Pilipino. Sa pagtutulungan ng pamahalaan at pribadong sektor, nakapagbibigay tayo ng mas ligtas, maayos, at mas epektibong kapaligiran para sa kanilang pag-aaral,” Romualdez said.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara welcomed the partnership, citing the department’s limited budget.

“The budget really is insufficient every year. The deficit has been growing. Twelve years ago, maybe the deficit was 55,000 classrooms — now it’s 165,000,” Angara said.

Romualdez praised Angara’s leadership and collaborative approach with the private sector.

“Malinaw na ang direksiyon at malasakit ni Secretary Angara ang nagbibigay ng bagong sigla at kumpiyansa sa ating sektor ng edukasyon. Sa kanyang pamumuno, natitiyak natin na ang mga reporma at inisyatiba ng DepEd ay nakaangkla sa pangarap ng Pangulo na mabigyan ng dekalidad na edukasyon ang bawat batang Pilipino,” he said.

The House Speaker assured that Congress supports President Marcos Jr.’s education initiatives and 

pledged sufficient funds for the Generation Hope program.

HOPE, founded by Nanette Medved-Po in 2012, has supported classroom projects through products like Hope in a Bottle and Hope in a Box.

Since its establishment, HOPE has built 144 classrooms benefiting 52,000 students nationwide, but Medved-Po said this is still “a drop in the bucket” compared with the overall shortage.

“If we want to inspire the nation to nation-build through education, we have to do it with the big brands. It’s not going to happen with small brands,” she said.

Each classroom costs around Php 1.2 to 1.4 million, funded through profits or rewards from partnered brands.