Mabalacat City Mayor Geld Aquino signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Nationwide Classroom Building Program today at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang Palace, alongside Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara.
The program forms part of the national government’s initiative to address the shortage of classrooms across the country through stronger collaboration with local government units (LGUs).
Last year, Mayor Aquino was among the first mayors in the country to express support for the Classroom Acceleration Program, which aims to fast-track the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings to ease classroom shortages.
Under the agreement, LGUs are authorized to undertake the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of school facilities within their respective jurisdictions, including project procurement and implementation in accordance with national standards.
Meanwhile, DepEd will identify priority schools, issue standard classroom designs and technical specifications, and conduct validation and monitoring to ensure proper implementation.
The program aims to provide students with safe, durable, and quality learning facilities, creating a more conducive environment for education.
Joining Mayor Aquino in the MOA signing were city mayors from across the country, including Leni Robredo of Naga City, Vico Sotto of Pasig City, and Carmelo ‘Jon’ Lazatin of Angeles City. Senator Bam Aquino, a key advocate of the Classroom Acceleration Program, was also present at the ceremony.
