Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has approved the release of funds worth PHP303.5 million for the construction of 120 classrooms in 21 sites nationwide.

In a statement Wednesday, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) made a joint request to release the funds under the Basic Education Facilities (BEF) Batch 2 for the calendar year 2023 to build more classrooms in the country.

The DBM said Pangandaman approved the DPWH and the DepEd’s request after the requirements for the release of funds were completed.

The requirements include the list of schools approved by the DepEd Undersecretaries for School Infrastructure and Facilities, and Finance; Budget Execution Document No. 1-Financial Plan; Physical Plan; and Monthly Disbursement Program.

“The total authorized appropriation for Special Provisions in the FY (fiscal year) 2023 DepEd budget of P15.7 billion is being implemented by DPWH. This includes P15.6 billion for the construction, replacement, and completion of kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school buildings and technical vocational laboratories, among others,” the statement read.

“Learners and teachers can expect more classrooms to be built in various schools,” it added.

Pangandaman stressed the need to strengthen the education sector, saying it is a crucial factor in promoting the country’s social and human development.

She said the release of needed funds was in adherence to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve education facilities to create a conducive learning environment for all learners, including in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

“Education is a chance for every Filipino to improve his or her quality of life. Education empowers us to achieve genuine prosperity as well. But it is also a shared responsibility to work together for the country to achieve complete economic healing and recovery. Let us continue to invest in education,” Pangandaman said. (PNA)