Manila, Jan. 2 -- Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday said the 2026 national budget will significantly accelerate classroom construction to address the persistent backlog in basic education facilities.

Under the enrolled 2026 budget measure, PHP85 billion is allotted for the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms.

Of this amount, PHP65.9 billion is allocated for the construction, replacement and completion of kindergarten to secondary school buildings, as well as technical-vocational laboratories.

"Hindi lamang tayo naglaan ng mas malaking pondo para sa pagpapatayo ng mga classrooms, tiniyak din nating mapapabilis ito sa pamamagitan ng aktibong pakikilahok ng iba't ibang sektor (We didn't just allocate more funds for classroom con...