Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara is optimistic that local government units (LGUs) will partner with the national government in building schools to address the growing demand for more classrooms.

Angara was in Negros Oriental yesterday and visited three schools in Sibulan, Tanjay City, and in the provincial capital Dumaguete City, to assess the current status of public education in the province.

In an interview, Angara said the construction of school buildings is a continuing program of DepEd.

Angara said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. approved in principle a public-private partnership to build some 3,000 to 4,000 classrooms a year.

During a dialogue with DepEd officials from the Negros Island Region and Negros Oriental at the Dumaguete City National High School, one of the concerns raised by the teachers was the lack of classrooms.

“I think it is a good suggestion and we welcome it because as you know, with the Mandanas Doctrine, cities have more income, more money to spend on different projects,” he said, referring to the increased national tax allocation for LGUs.

Under the current budget setup of the DepEd, there is a special provision that only the Department of Public Works and Highways can build classrooms, “so we would welcome a more flexible provision where the DepEd can partner with local governments,” Angara said. (PNA)