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The Philippines continues to face significant challenges in basic education, from classroom shortages and nutrition concerns to school safety and employment readiness for graduates. As the country works to improve learning outcomes, education infrastructure remains one of the most urgent issues requiring attention.
Returning as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Bam Aquino has outlined several key reforms aimed at addressing the nation’s education crisis, beginning with an investigation into the delayed implementation of a massive classroom construction program funded under the 2026 national budget.
The senator's renewed focus comes amid concerns that thousands of much-needed classrooms have yet to be built despite the allocation of billions of pesos intended to help address the country's growing education infrastructure gap.
Bam Aquino to Investigate Delays in P67-Billion Classroom Construction Fund
One of Aquino’s top priorities is examining the slow rollout of the ₱67-billion budget allocation earmarked for the construction of 25,000 classrooms nationwide.
The funding forms part of the historic ₱1.34-trillion education budget approved for 2026 and was secured during Aquino’s previous work on education-related initiatives.
However, despite the substantial allocation, classroom construction has reportedly yet to begin, raising concerns as the rainy season approaches.
Aquino said the Senate Committee on Basic Education will closely scrutinize the implementation process to determine what is causing the delays and how government agencies can accelerate project execution.
The issue is particularly important given the country's estimated backlog of 166,000 classrooms, a long-standing challenge that continues to affect students, teachers, and schools across the Philippines.
Urgent Call to Repair Earthquake-Damaged Classrooms in Mindanao
Aside from the classroom backlog, Aquino also urged the government to immediately release funds for the repair of schools damaged by the recent Magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.
According to data from the Department of Education, more than 1,000 classrooms sustained damage due to the earthquake.
The affected areas include parts of SOCCSKSARGEN and Davao Region.
Aquino stressed that the release of repair funds should be expedited to ensure students can return to safe learning environments as soon as possible.
With many schools already facing infrastructure shortages, the damage caused by natural disasters further compounds existing challenges within the education sector.
Expanding the National Feeding Program for Young Learners
Beyond infrastructure concerns, Aquino also identified student nutrition as a major priority.
The senator committed to pushing for legislation that would institutionalize and expand the country's National Feeding Program.
The proposed reform aims to guarantee free and nutritious meals for students from Kindergarten to Grade 3, helping address hunger and malnutrition that can negatively impact learning outcomes.
Education and nutrition experts have long emphasized the connection between proper nutrition and academic performance, making feeding programs a key component of broader educational reforms.
Aquino is expected to sponsor the measure expanding the National Feeding Program when Congress resumes discussions on priority legislation.
School Safety and Employment Readiness Also Among Priorities
The returning committee chair also highlighted two other reforms he plans to advance in the Senate:
School Safety Act
The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen anti-bullying measures and create safer learning environments for students.
Bullying remains a significant concern in many schools, affecting student well-being, mental health, and academic performance.
School-to-Employment Program
Aquino also supports initiatives that would help K-12 graduates transition more effectively into the workforce.
The proposed program aims to strengthen connections between education and employment opportunities, helping graduates develop skills that better align with labor market demands.
These measures reflect a broader effort to improve not only access to education but also student outcomes beyond the classroom.
Pushing for Greater Transparency Through Blockchain Technology
Alongside his education agenda, Aquino reiterated his support for the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA)-Blockchain the Budget Bill.
The measure seeks to improve transparency and accountability in government spending by requiring agencies to upload detailed budget-related documents onto a publicly accessible Digital Budget Platform.
The platform would contain information such as:
- Government contracts
- Project costs
- Bills of materials
- Procurement records
- Budget allocations
Designed to be tamper-resistant, traceable, and verifiable, the system aims to give citizens greater visibility into how public funds are utilized.
According to Aquino, increased transparency can help ensure that critical sectors like education receive the resources they need while reducing opportunities for corruption and misuse of public funds.
Addressing the Education Crisis Requires Urgent Action
As the Philippines continues to grapple with classroom shortages, disaster-related school damage, student nutrition concerns, and workforce readiness challenges, education remains one of the country's most pressing national priorities.
Aquino's return as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education signals a renewed focus on tackling these issues through infrastructure investments, policy reforms, and stronger oversight of government spending.
With billions already allocated for education programs, many stakeholders will be watching closely to see how quickly these initiatives translate into tangible improvements for students, teachers, and schools across the country.