The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have announced the resumption of their partnership to fortify the Philippines’ school building program. The partnership between the two departments is crucial in providing schools with the infrastructure development they need to provide quality education to Filipino students.
In her 2023 Basic Education Report, Vice President and Secretary of Education Sarah Z. Duterte emphasized that the lack of school infrastructure and resources is one of the biggest challenges the basic education sector is facing.
And in line with that challenge, VP-Sec. Sara Duterte has launched the MATATAG agenda, which includes establishing the School Infrastructure and Facilities Department. This is headed by Undersecretary Epimaco V. Densing III, who is dedicated to solving long-standing problems related to educational facilities and infrastructure.
Over the years, DepEd and DPWH have worked together to build new classrooms, rehabilitate older classrooms, and provide a range of facilities that enhance the learning experience of students.
With the resumption of their partnership, DepEd and DPWH commit to prioritizing the construction of disaster-resilient and sustainable school buildings, mainly in disaster-prone areas. This allows schools to ensure safe physical classrooms where students can learn even in the face of natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and floods.
Although the current situation has paid great attention in providing efficient online learning, the need for safe physical classrooms remains. The partnership between DepEd and DPWH also ensures that schools have the infrastructure they need to provide quality education to their students, both face-to-face or online.
Moreover, the resumption of partnerships will not only help improve the basic education sector of the country, but also provide employment opportunities for Filipinos, mostly those who are in the construction industry.
