THE SEVERITY OF systemic corruption in the government may have compelled President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to adopt a new scheme primarily designed to eliminate the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from implementing education-related infrastructure projects.
In a news dispatch posted on the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) website, Marcos cited the urgent need to “capacitate local government units (LGUs) to construct and repair classrooms with national government funding.”
Speaking during the handover of patient transport vehicles (PTVs) in Butuan City, President Marcos said the new scheme would fast-track the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms to address nationwide shortages and support post-disaster recovery efforts.
“Kaya’t para pabilisin natin, we are changing the system. From now on, lahat ng LGU na may kapasidad, na may kaya, ida-download namin ang pondo sa LGU na. Kayo na ang magpatayo ng inyong eskuwelahan,” Marcos said.
Under the existing set-up, the Department of Education (DepEd) receives the budget for classroom construction and repair, which is then downloaded to the DPWH for implementation.
No less than the President admitted that project implementation is delayed by the bureaucratic process of getting clearances and permits.
“This is a closer coordination between the national government and the LGUs. This is part of that new scheme that we have to accelerate the building of schoolrooms, school buildings, so that we will achieve at least partway ang naging kulang sa ating mga schoolroom, sa ating mga school building,” the President was quoted as saying.
Marcos expressed confidence that local chief executives could carry out the construction and repair of classrooms faster and at a lower budget, given their administrative experience.
“Ako malakas ang loob ko sa mga LGU executives dahil hindi sila puwedeng mag-ghost project. Sisitahin kayong lahat,” the President said.
“Hindi kayo puwedeng gawin substandard at pagka ginawa ninyo yun, araw-araw ay minumura kayo ng mga constituents ninyo kung hindi tama ang trabaho ninyo.”
At the same time, the President assured the national government would assist LGUs that do not have the equipment and capacity to implement classroom projects.
Marcos expressed optimism that the new scheme would fast-track the rehabilitation of classrooms damaged during the recent earthquakes.