MANILA, Dec. 4 -- The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday announced its partnership with the BDO Unibank Inc., Friends of Hope Inc. (HOPE) to accelerate classroom construction across the country through a "zero-cost-to-government" fundraising initiative.

The collaboration was formalized following the launch of the BDO HOPE Mastercard on Wednesday, a program designed to generate funds for public school classrooms each time the card is used.

In a statement, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative would help the government address the perennial problem of classroom shortage in public schools nationwide.

"Magsisilbi itong isa sa mga konkretong landas upang mabawasan ang classroom gap sa bansa-isang hamong maaaring abut...