Alliance of Concerned Teachers Oppose Public-Private Partnerships
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has firmly opposed the government’s plan to expand public-private partnerships in classroom construction. This multi-sector drive aims to involve private companies and non-government organizations (NGOs) in building school facilities, but ACT warns it would only deepen the privatization of public education.
ACT chair Vladimer Quetua expressed concerns that this approach risks “whitewashing” corruption and neglect in school infrastructure projects. He emphasized that the Marcos administration is using alleged government inefficiency and corruption as a pretext to hand over public classrooms to profit-driven entities.
Concerns Over Privatization and Its Impact
Quetua stated, “Instead of taking full responsibility and mobilizing state resources for a massive, government-led construction program, they are turning education infrastructure into a business opportunity.”
He warned that involving private partners may lead to increased overpricing, political favoritism, and substandard work, especially hurting poor communities.
Government Pushes for More Flexibility in Construction
Education Secretary Sonny Angara recently announced plans to introduce more flexibility in classroom and school building projects by tapping local government units (LGUs) and private partners. A special provision in the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program includes LGUs, private sector, and NGOs as implementers for construction projects.
Angara explained, “Since the DPWH has been responding also to calamities, we want to form a larger pool with more implementing actors to ensure that our projects will push through without any delay.” The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been active in infrastructure efforts, but the government seeks to expand collaboration.
Legislative Moves and Senate Debates
Senator Bam Aquino, chair of the Senate basic education committee, has filed a bill authorizing LGUs to partner with the private sector for classroom construction completion. This proposal follows senators’ concerns about the current system’s inefficiency and higher costs compared to private sector projects.
Despite these efforts, ACT remains skeptical. Quetua criticized the move, saying, “The problem is not that the government is doing everything itself but that it has long surrendered this role to profit-seeking players. This will only deepen overpricing, kickbacks, and neglect of poor communities.”
The Road Ahead for Public Education Infrastructure
The debate highlights the tension between government responsibility and private sector involvement in public education infrastructure. While proponents argue that multi-sector collaboration can speed up classroom construction and reduce delays, critics fear it will undermine the quality and accessibility of education.
Community members and education advocates urge the government to prioritize a fully funded, government-led construction program that ensures transparency, accountability, and equitable access to quality classrooms for all Filipino students.
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