Sorsogon Chosen as Pilot Province for DepEd's Expanded Classroom Building Program
Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero has expressed his strong support for the Department of Education's recent decision to designate Sorsogon as the pilot area for its expanded classroom construction initiative. The veteran legislator emphasized that this selection serves as a significant recognition of the local government unit's long-standing dedication to improving educational outcomes throughout the province.
National-Local Partnership Model Gains Traction
In his commendation of this strategic move, Escudero highlighted how this development affirms a crucial principle he has consistently advocated: capable local government units, when properly empowered through meaningful national partnerships, can dramatically accelerate progress in critical sectors such as education. The senator has previously called for a comprehensive tripartite agreement involving DepEd, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Agriculture to empower qualified LGUs to achieve accelerated growth through enhanced infrastructure, stronger rural connectivity, and improved school facilities.
"This collaboration reflects the same framework that I advocated recently about national agencies partnering with LGUs that have proven capacity and stability," Escudero stated. "DepEd's confidence in Sorsogon shows how this model can deliver faster, more accountable results."
Memorandum of Agreement Set for Signing
The senator issued this statement following confirmation from Education Secretary Sonny Angara regarding the forthcoming signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, tentatively scheduled for February 11 at Malacañang Palace with the President expected to witness the ceremony. Escudero, who previously served as governor of Sorsogon from 2019 to 2022, emphasized that education has consistently remained a top priority for the province throughout his administration and beyond.
During his gubernatorial term, Escudero implemented substantial improvements to school infrastructure, expanded digital learning support systems, and developed comprehensive pandemic-era interventions to ensure educational continuity. These strategic efforts complemented the province's broader achievements in infrastructure development and peace-and-order initiatives, ultimately positioning Sorsogon as an ideal leader in addressing the national classroom backlog.
Operational Framework and Implementation Strategy
Under the proposed Memorandum of Agreement, the Provincial Government of Sorsogon will undertake school building projects through the Basic Education Facilities Fund. The local government unit will assume primary responsibility for procurement and construction processes, while DepEd will provide essential financial assistance and technical guidance to ensure full compliance with national standards and quality assurance requirements.
This innovative joint undertaking has been specifically designed to combine local operational agility with national technical expertise, creating a synergistic approach that enables faster project completion with enhanced accountability measures. Escudero described this collaboration as an exemplary model demonstrating how national and local governments can work together effectively to solve systemic challenges that have persisted for decades.
"DepEd's openness to new approaches and Sorsogon's readiness to deliver make this partnership a strong step toward ensuring that every Filipino learner has a safe, dignified, and functional classroom," the senator noted with evident optimism.
Provincial Leadership Expresses Readiness
Escudero expressed sincere hope that the pilot implementation in Sorsogon will establish a successful precedent for similar partnerships to be replicated nationwide, particularly in regions demonstrating sufficient capacity to deliver infrastructure projects efficiently and transparently. Current Sorsogon Governor Jose Edwin "Boboy" Hamor has expressed profound gratitude for this opportunity while affirming the province's complete readiness to implement these critical educational projects.
Governor Hamor noted that Sorsogon's growing self-reliance in infrastructure implementation represents the direct result of sustained economic momentum and continuous institutional strengthening efforts. "Our province is eager to support DepEd's mission of providing adequate and conducive learning spaces," he affirmed, highlighting the local government's commitment to educational advancement.
This pioneering initiative represents a significant shift in educational infrastructure development strategy, potentially establishing a new paradigm for national-local collaboration that could transform how classroom construction projects are implemented across the Philippine archipelago.
