MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Faustino “Inno” Dy has underscored the vital role of educators in national development, describing them as the “unwavering pillars of society.” In a recent statement, the Speaker committed the lower house’s full support toward addressing the country’s chronic classroom shortage, emphasizing that providing teachers with proper facilities is as essential as improving their welfare.
Speaker Dy highlighted that the House of Representatives is prioritizing budget allocations specifically for the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings in underserved and far-flung areas. The initiative aims to reduce the current student-to-classroom ratio, which has long been a challenge for the Department of Education (DepEd) and a significant burden on the teaching workforce.
“Our teachers are the silent heroes of our nation’s progress, molding the minds of the next generation under often difficult circumstances,” Speaker Dy said. “It is our responsibility in Congress to ensure they have the environment and the tools they need to succeed. We are moving beyond just policy—we are focusing on brick-and-mortar solutions to improve our educational landscape.”
The legislative push includes a proposed “Classroom Emergency Act,” which seeks to streamline the procurement and construction processes for new school wings. By cutting through bureaucratic red tape, the measure aims to accelerate the delivery of thousands of new classrooms by the end of 2026.
In addition to infrastructure, the Speaker reiterated his support for ongoing legislative efforts to increase the chalk allowance and provide better health benefits for public school teachers. Educational advocacy groups have welcomed the pronouncement, urging the government to ensure that these infrastructure projects are climate-resilient and equipped with modern digital learning facilities to keep pace with global standards.