The Department of Education continues to confront a shortage of more than 166000 classrooms across the Philippines according to a recent congressional report.
The Second Congressional Commission on Education reported the figure during a Senate hearing based on DepEd data. This exceeds the department's prior estimate of 144000 classrooms. Earthquakes have worsened the situation with the October 2025 Cebu quake damaging nearly 10000 classrooms and the magnitude 7.8 Sarangani earthquake on the first day of School Year 2026-2027 affecting 12493 more.
The commission highlighted that 51222 classrooms will exceed 50 years of age by 2028 and require condemnation. It also cited a study showing 70 percent of public school buildings need major repairs retrofitting or condemnation. Governance issues add to the problem including 58 housing projects lacking planned schools for 167120 units.
On July 22 President Marcos signed Republic Act 12321 to support schools in isolated areas. The Department of Public Works and Highways stated it is on track to finish more than 5000 classrooms this year with 2100 completed as of July 15.
