TACLOBAN CITY — Northern Samar Governor Harris Ongchuan has expressed support for the national government’s initiative to directly involve local government units (LGUs) in accelerating the construction of much-needed classrooms across the country.
Ongchuan joined other local chief executives during the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) led by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on February 11, 2026, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd).
The agreement formalizes a nationwide collaboration aimed at addressing the persistent shortage of classrooms, a long-standing issue that has resulted in overcrowded classes, shifting schedules, and makeshift learning spaces in many public schools, particularly in far-flung and disaster-prone provinces like Northern Samar.
Under the program, around 4,000 additional classrooms will be constructed in the initial phase, funded under the 2026 national budget. The initiative outlines shared responsibilities between DepEd and LGUs, including funding support, construction monitoring, and long-term maintenance of the facilities.
DepEd will identify priority schools based on classroom gaps and enrollment data, provide standard building designs, and ensure compliance with safety, accessibility, and quality standards. Both DepEd and LGUs will jointly oversee the construction and improvement of school buildings within their respective jurisdictions.
President Marcos said the scheme is expected to significantly reduce bureaucratic delays and speed up the delivery of school infrastructure by tapping the implementation capacity of LGUs.
In a statement, Ongchuan underscored the importance of the partnership in improving learning conditions for students in Northern Samar, where growing enrollment and limited infrastructure have strained public schools.
“Sa pamamagitan ng patuloy na pakikipagtulungan sa Pamahalaang Nasyunal, patuloy tayong magsusulong ng mas ligtas, mas maayos, at mas dekalidad na edukasyon para sa bawat kabataang Nortehanon,” the governor said.
He reiterated the provincial government of Northern Samar’s commitment to supporting education reforms through stronger coordination with the national government, emphasizing that adequate and safe classrooms are essential to raising the quality of basic education in the province.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
