• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Sixteen municipalities in Negros Occidental have submitted letters of intent to participate in the nationwide classroom building program.
The Department of Education (DepEd) identified the interested LGUs as Binalbagan, Ilog, Toboso, Hinoba-an, Pulupandan, Isabela, Pontevedra, Moises Padilla, Calatrava, Murcia, EB Magalona, Candoni, Cauayan, San Enrique, Manapla, and Valladolid.
A primary requirement for qualification is the Seal of Good Local Governance, or an equivalent award.
According to DepEd Negros Occidental spokesperson Ian Arnold Arnaez, the municipalities of Toboso, Moises Padilla, and Candoni currently lack such certification.
The program is supported by a P85.4 billion allocation under the 2026 General Appropriations Act for Basic Education Facilities.
Within this budget, P9.6 billion is designated for 4,000 classrooms in the first tranche, with another P5.96 billion allocated for 1,700 additional units following a memorandum of agreement recently signed at Malacañang by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and various local government units.*
