Returning as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Senator Bam Aquino has outlined a series of reforms aimed at addressing what he described as the country’s ongoing education crisis, including the massive shortage of classrooms nationwide.
Among Aquino’s top priorities is investigating the delayed implementation of the P67-billion allocation he helped secure under the 2026 national budget for the construction of 25,000 classrooms.
Despite the funding being included in the country’s historic P1.34-trillion education budget, Aquino noted that construction has yet to begin, raising concerns as the rainy season sets in.
“Tututukan natin iyong krisis sa edukasyon. Unang-una, iimbestigahan natin ang P67 billion na nakalaan para sa classrooms,” Aquino said after reassuming the committee chairmanship following the recent Senate leadership change under acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.
“Alam nating napakabagal ng pag-deploy nito at nais nating malaman kung paano ito papabilisan ngayon na umuulan na ulit at mas mahirap nang gumawa ng classroom,” he added.
The senator cited the country’s estimated backlog of 166,000 classrooms and emphasized the need to accelerate infrastructure projects to address overcrowding and improve learning conditions for students.
Aquino also vowed to push for the passage of legislation that would institutionalize a National Feeding Program, ensuring that all kindergarten to Grade 3 students receive free and nutritious meals.
“Pangalawa, ipapasa natin iyong reporma sa ating nutrition program kasi mahalaga po na may pagkain ang ating kabataan at dito sa repormang ito, masisigurado natin na Kinder to Grade 3 mayroong masustansiyang pagkain,” Aquino said.
The senator is expected to sponsor the proposed measure expanding the country’s feeding program when Congress resumes deliberations in July.
Apart from classroom construction and nutrition initiatives, Aquino identified other priority measures, including the proposed School Safety Act, which seeks to strengthen protections against bullying, and the School-to-Employment Program aimed at helping K-to-12 graduates secure jobs after completing their studies.
Aquino expressed hope that lawmakers would unite behind reforms that directly address the needs of Filipino students and improve the country’s education system.
“Napakarami pa pong kailangang tugunan at sana po magkaisa tayo para tugunan ang mga problemang ito, mabigyan ng tutok natin ang mga problema ng kabataan at ng kinabukasan ng ating bansa,” he said.
The senator also renewed his call for the passage of his proposed Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA)-Blockchain the Budget Bill, which seeks to improve transparency and accountability in government spending.
“Marami pa rin pong mga issue sa korapsyon na hindi pa nareresolba at mahalaga na ma-blockchain na iyong budget para alam ng taumbayan kung saan napupunta iyong pera nila. Makakatulong din ito para masigurado na iyong pondo para sa edukasyon, na siyang pinakamataas sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, ay magagamit nang tama,” Aquino said.
Under Senate Bill No. 1506, which was previously approved on third and final reading by a 17-0 vote, government agencies would be required to upload and maintain detailed budget-related documents on a Digital Budget Platform.
The proposed system would make contracts, procurement records, project costs, and other budget documents publicly accessible while ensuring that records remain traceable, verifiable, tamper-resistant, and open source.
Meanwhile, Aquino urged the government to expedite the release of funds for the rehabilitation of classrooms damaged by the Magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao.
According to the Department of Education, more than 1,000 classrooms in affected areas were damaged by the earthquake, particularly in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region and the Davao Region.
“Ayon sa DepEd, mahigit 1,000 classrooms ang nasira ng lindol sa Mindanao. Dapat bilisan ang paglalabas ng pondo upang maisaayos ang mga ito sa lalong madaling panahon,” Aquino said.
As the Senate resumes work on key education measures, Aquino said he intends to focus on reforms that address classroom shortages, student nutrition, school safety, employment opportunities for graduates, and transparency in the use of public funds.
