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List of towns included in school building program out by March
![Michael Poa](https://canadianinquirer.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/299603163_442005081301304_8954401979693729451_n.jpeg)
FILE: DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa (Photo By Harold Rodriguez via DepEd Philippines/Facebook)
MANILA – The official list of first to fourth-class municipalities to be included in this year’s school building program may be out next month, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).
In a Viber message on Wednesday, DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said the finalization of areas to be included is still ongoing.
“We hope to have a final list by (the) first or second week of March… This is being done with DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways). We will release the list once finalized,” he told the Philippine News Agency.
The DepEd made the statement as Vice President Sara Duterte disclosed that the granting of the budget will cover some of these municipalities.
During her speech on Tuesday, Duterte said they have opted to maximize a “system-based” approach in identifying areas.
“This year, 2023 GAA, when we implement (it), there will be municipalities… that will receive school buildings from DepEd… Hindi po kami nalimitahan ngayon sa 5th and 6th class municipalities sa budget namin sa school building program (Our budget now is no longer limited to 5th and 6th class municipalities),” she said.
“We adhere to the needs-based checklist that we came up with that is used by the Department of Education to prioritize the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas and the Last-Mile Schools of the Department of Education,” she added.
However, Duterte said the given budget is still small compared to the actual need of the entire country under the school building program.
She said the checklist set by DepEd does not apply to the school building program identified by the House of Representatives.
Earlier, the DepEd identified problems of classroom congestion and damaged school infrastructures as its top concerns in the education sector which affect students’ learning spaces.
During the Basic Education Report (BER) on Jan. 30, the DepEd said it has allocated PHP15.6 billion for the construction of new school buildings, with around 6,000 classrooms targeted this year.
The department said that out of the 327,851 school buildings in the country, only 104,536 are in good condition.
Besides the budget allocation, the DepEd also ensured a partnership with the DPWH to ensure the effective implementation of the school building program.
Last week, DepEd Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III renewed their cooperation with DPWH, represented by Assistant Secretary Antonio Molano Jr.