Amid the Flood Control Mess, DepEd Sec. Angara Points Out Lack of Classrooms
DEPED – Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara expressed his disappointment over the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) only building 22 classrooms out of 1,700 target.
The flood control issue in the Philippines left countless Filipinos angry. The Department of Public Works and Highways became the center of criticism after several of its personnel and high-ranking officials are tagged in the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption.
Dismissed DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez claimed during several Senate and House flood probes that he and some of his superiors in the agency’s Bulacan district are allegedly dealing with huge amounts of money. Amid the issue, Brice Hernandez surrendered a luxury vehicle which he claimed he did not worked hard for.
Several DPWH officials in Bulacan were tagged in the issue. Some senators and congressmen are also accused of allegedly receiving “kickback” from the flood control projects funded by the government. The issue triggered the “Trillion Peso March” that was held last September 21.
Thousands of Filipinos including several showbiz celebrities joined the street protests to call for an end to corruption. Amid the issue, President Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of an independent body that will investigate the infrastructure projects funded by the government.
The order of Marcos Jr. led to the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. Currently, the ICI is conducting its investigation over the issue. However, amid the flood control mess in the country, DepEd chief Sonny Angara expressed his disappointment towards the DPWH for building few classrooms.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, out of the target 1,700 classrooms this 2025, the DPWH was only able to complete the building of 22 classrooms. The DepEd Chief stressed that the agency might have been too engrossed on the flood control projects.
“Mukhang nawili sila sa flood control sa totoo lang eh. Matamaan na kung sino ang matamaan pero parang hindi na naging priority yung pagtayo ng classrooms,” Angara said.
According to the DepEd Chief, the department is currently pushing for the public-private partnerships to fast-track the construction of classrooms. Based on the report, he claimed that the target will not be met if they will only rely to one agency.
“Dati noong panahon ni Bro. Armin [Luistro], nakapagtayo ng 14,000 classrooms kasi doon imbes na nagpapa-bid ka ng isang building lamang, nagpapabid ka ng isang libong classroom, sabay-sabay yun, malakihan yung talagang pag construct ng classroom pag ganun (PPP). Nakakapanghinayang talaga dahil alam natin na yan ang kailangan ng bayan,” he said.
Amid the flood control issue in the country now, a private citizen unexpectedly urged the ICI created upon the order of Marcos Jr. to investigate First Lady Liza Marcos over her alleged involvement in the flood control projects.