Bam Aquino Sets Education Reforms in Motion, Targets Classroom Backlog and Budget Delays

As he returns to lead the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Senator Bam Aquino is placing the country’s education challenges at the center of his legislative agenda, beginning with a closer look at the delayed implementation of the P67-billion classroom construction fund included in the 2026 national budget.

With the Philippines continuing to face a classroom shortage estimated at more than 166,000 units nationwide, Aquino said urgent action is needed to ensure that funds already allocated for education translate into actual improvements on the ground.

The senator pointed to the P67-billion allocation he helped secure under the historic P1.34-trillion education budget, intended to finance the construction of 25,000 new classrooms across the country. However, despite the availability of funding, construction activities have yet to begin, prompting concerns about possible delays in implementation.

“Tututukan natin iyong krisis sa edukasyon. Unang-una, iimbestigahan natin ang P67 billion na nakalaan para sa classrooms,” Aquino said following his return as committee chairperson after recent leadership changes in the Senate.

He emphasized that the pace of implementation must be accelerated, especially with the rainy season already underway.

“Alam nating napakabagal ng pag-deploy nito at nais nating malaman kung paano ito papabilisan ngayon na umuulan na ulit at mas mahirap nang gumawa ng classroom,” he added.

Aquino said addressing the classroom shortage is essential to improving learning conditions for millions of Filipino students. Overcrowded classrooms, inadequate facilities, and infrastructure gaps continue to affect the quality of education in many parts of the country.

Beyond classroom construction, the senator outlined several key reforms aimed at strengthening the education system and improving student welfare.

Among these is the proposed National Feeding Program, which seeks to institutionalize the provision of free and nutritious meals for all kindergarten to Grade 3 students nationwide. Aquino is expected to sponsor the measure in July, highlighting the critical link between nutrition and academic

“Pangalawa, ipapasa natin iyong reporma sa ating nutrition program kasi mahalaga po na may pagkain ang ating kabataan at dito sa repormang ito, masisigurado natin na Kinder to Grade 3 mayroong masustansiyang pagkain,” he said.

The senator noted that proper nutrition plays a vital role in a child’s ability to learn, concentrate, and develop, making school feeding programs an important investment in the country’s future.

Aquino also identified the passage of the School Safety Act as a priority measure to strengthen protections against bullying and create safer learning environments for students. Another proposal, the School-to-Employment Program, aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by helping K-to-12 graduates secure meaningful jobs after graduation.

While focusing on education reforms, Aquino also renewed his call for greater transparency and accountability in government spending through his proposed Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA)-Blockchain the Budget Bill.

The measure seeks to modernize public financial management by requiring government agencies to upload budget-related documents, project records, procurement details, contracts, and expenditures on a publicly accessible digital platform.

“Marami pa rin pong mga issue sa korapsyon na hindi pa nareresolba at mahalaga na ma-blockchain na iyong budget para alam ng taumbayan kung saan napupunta iyong pera nila,” Aquino said.

He stressed that the initiative would help ensure that public funds, particularly the record-breaking allocation for education, are used efficiently and for their intended purposes.

Senate Bill No. 1506, which proposes the establishment of the Digital Budget Platform, has already been approved on third and final reading in the Senate with unanimous support. Once enacted, the system would make government spending records more transparent, traceable, and accessible to the public.

At the same time, Aquino urged the government to immediately release funds needed to repair classrooms damaged by the recent Magnitude 7.8 earthquake that affected parts of Mindanao, particularly in SOCCSKSARGEN and the Davao Region.

“Ayon sa DepEd, mahigit 1,000 classrooms ang nasira ng lindol sa Mindanao. Dapat bilisan ang paglalabas ng pondo upang maisaayos ang mga ito sa lalong madaling panahon,” he said.

For Aquino, addressing infrastructure gaps, improving nutrition, ensuring school safety, promoting employment opportunities, and strengthening transparency are all part of a broader effort to secure a better future for Filipino learners and the nation they will one day lead.