Chiz: Sorsogon’s selection as pilot area for classroom expansion highlights province’s commitment to education

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero welcomed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) designation of Sorsogon as the pilot area for its expanded classroom construction initiative, describing the move as recognition of the province’s long-standing dedication to improving education.

Escudero said the decision underscores a principle he has consistently advanced: that capable and prepared local government units (LGUs), when empowered through partnerships with national agencies, can deliver faster and more effective results in key sectors such as education.

The senator reiterated his earlier call for the national government to pursue a tripartite partnership among DepEd, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Department of Agriculture (DA), aimed at enabling qualified LGUs to accelerate development through improved infrastructure, stronger rural connectivity, and enhanced school facilities.

According to Escudero, Sorsogon’s inclusion as pilot province reflects DepEd’s confidence in the LGU’s readiness and capacity to implement the program.

“This collaboration mirrors the framework I have been advocating—national agencies working closely with LGUs that have demonstrated competence and stability,” Escudero said. “DepEd’s trust in Sorsogon shows how this model can produce faster and more accountable outcomes.”

The statement was issued following Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s confirmation of the upcoming signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), tentatively scheduled for February 11 in Malacañang, with the President expected to witness the ceremony.

Escudero, who served as governor of Sorsogon from 2019 to 2022, emphasized that education has consistently been a top priority of the provincial government. During his tenure, the province strengthened school infrastructure, expanded digital learning support, and implemented pandemic-era measures to ensure continuity of education. These initiatives, alongside gains in infrastructure development and peace and order, helped position Sorsogon to address its classroom backlog.

Under the proposed MOA, the Provincial Government of Sorsogon will implement school building projects funded through the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF). The LGU will oversee procurement and construction, while DepEd will provide financial support and technical supervision to ensure compliance with national standards and quality requirements. The partnership is designed to combine local efficiency with national expertise, enabling quicker and more transparent project delivery.

Escudero said the initiative serves as a model for effective national-local collaboration in addressing systemic challenges. “DepEd’s openness to innovative approaches, coupled with Sorsogon’s readiness to deliver, marks a meaningful step toward ensuring every Filipino learner has access to safe, dignified, and functional classrooms,” he said.

He expressed hope that the pilot program in Sorsogon would pave the way for similar partnerships across the country, particularly in provinces with the capacity to implement infrastructure projects efficiently.

Meanwhile, incumbent Governor Jose Edwin “Boboy” Hamor welcomed the opportunity and affirmed the province’s preparedness to carry out the projects. He noted that Sorsogon’s growing capacity for infrastructure implementation is the result of sustained economic progress and institutional strengthening. “Our province is ready to support DepEd’s mission of providing adequate and conducive learning environments for our students,” Hamor said.