DepEd-HOPE partnership a model of PBBM’s education reform drive

By Jose Cielito Reganit, Philippine News Agency

Romualdez assured that the House of Representatives is fully behind the President’s education agenda, and vowed to provide sufficient funds under PHP6.793-trillion proposed budget for 2026. (File Photo: House of Representatives/Facebook)

MANILA – Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday said the Department of Education’s (DepEd) partnership with HOPE and other private companies to address the country’s massive classroom backlog is a landmark collaboration that advances President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a whole-of-nation approach to transform the education sector.

DepEd’s Generation HOPE program mobilizes the resources of HOPE and partner companies such as SM, Penshoppe, Grab, Aivee, Carmen’s Best, Sunnies, and Banco de Oro to construct new classrooms nationwide under a public-private partnership scheme with the education department.

In his State of the Nation Address last July 28, Marcos announced that his administration will work hand in hand with the private sector to build 40,000 additional classrooms by 2028, in line with his goal of ensuring at least one college or technical-vocational graduate in every 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 (This project is not only about constructing classrooms, but giving concrete hope to each Filipino youth. With the collaboration between the government and the private sector, we are providing a safer, orderly and conducive environment for their learning),” Romualdez said in a statement.

Established in 2012 by Nanette Medved-Po, the HOPE group — composed of Generation HOPE, Inc. and Friends of HOPE — channels 100 percent of profits from its flagship products, such as Hope in a Bottle and Hope in a Box, into classrooms and other social projects.

To date, the company has built 144 classrooms, benefitting 52,000 learners nationwide. Each classroom, measuring 7 by 9 meters, is designed to withstand strong typhoons, and comes fully equipped with a chalkboard, a teacher’s desk, fans, a restroom, and ample ventilation.

Romualdez said the collaboration underscores the private sector’s readiness to support President Marcos’ commitment to bridging education gaps.

He also praised Education Secretary Sonny Angara for his decisive leadership in rallying both government and private stakeholders behind the program.

“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 (Secretary Angara’s direction and concern gives newfound vitality and confidencve in the education sector. Under his leadership, we are assured the reforms and initiatives of DepEd are anchored in the President’s aspirations to provide quality education to each Filipino child),” he said.

Romualdez assured that the House of Representatives is fully behind the President’s education agenda, and vowed to provide sufficient funds under PHP6.793-trillion proposed budget for 2026.

In the 2026 proposed national budget, PHP28.1 billion has been allocated for Basic Education Facilities, which includes the construction of 4,869 new classrooms and the rehabilitation of existing ones.

“Much more should be done to close the gaps and help advance our education system. As we deliberate on the proposed funding for our teachers and learners, we will see to it that every peso from our taxpayers is prudently and wisely spent for the future of our young, many of whom only wish to uplift their families out of poverty,” Romualdez said.

“Under a Bagong Pilipinas, we will aim to make Filipino students and their families feel that we in the government are with them, every step of the way, as they work hard to reach their dreams. This is how governance should be — a commitment to ensuring the future of our next generation of responsible citizens and leaders.”