(Photo courtesy : PIA Calabarzon)
GENERAL TRIAS CITY, Cavite — Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday highlighted the growing role of local government units in easing the country’s classroom shortage, as he led the inauguration of a new classroom building at Santiago Elementary School in General Trias City.
Speaking at the ceremony on January 20, Angara emphasized that the national government is intensifying its collaboration with local governments to accelerate the construction of school facilities and address congestion in public schools. He said the approach reflects the direction set by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which encourages shared responsibility in education infrastructure development.
“Ito ang innovative approach ni Presidente. Dati kasi, ang gumagawa ng classrooms ay either DepEd lang o DPWH lang,” Angara said, noting that partnerships with local governments are now central to solving long-standing classroom shortages.
The education chief commended the city government for its sustained investment in school infrastructure, citing the construction of 100 classrooms over the past three years. He said the initiative has played a significant role in reducing congestion in public schools across the city.
“In partnership with the city, nakapagpatayo ng 100 classrooms in three years. Thank you for prioritizing building classrooms,” Angara added.
The newly inaugurated building at Santiago Elementary School features 16 fully equipped classrooms designed to improve both teaching and learning conditions. Each room is fitted with 50-inch smart televisions, armchairs, fire alarms, emergency lights, and proper safety signage, according to the Department of Education.
School principal Reinalyn Mutalla said the additional classrooms mark a major improvement for the school, which serves an estimated 2,443 learners and has long relied on a shifting schedule due to limited space.
“It strengthens our capacity to deliver quality, inclusive, and future-ready education for every child entrusted to our care,” Mutalla said.
She explained that the lack of classrooms previously forced the school to operate on a three-day, two-shift scheme to accommodate all students. With the new building now in use, the school will no longer need to implement the shifting arrangement.
“Hindi na po kami three days na may two shifts para ma-accommodate silang lahat. We can now provide a better learning environment to our learners and inspire our teachers to achieve more,” she said.
Education officials said the new facility is part of ongoing efforts to address classroom shortages nationwide while creating safer, more conducive learning spaces for both students and teachers.