By Nimfa L. Estrellado Senator Aquino uses the Infanta Education Summit to highlight the need for greater financial efficiency, pointing out...
Senator Aquino uses the Infanta Education Summit to highlight the need for greater financial efficiency, pointing out that NGOs can construct durable classrooms for under ₱2 million, compared to government costs of up to ₱4 million. (L.A. Ruanto)
INFANTA, Quezon - Teachers guide students every day through challenges that often go unseen, their work forming the backbone of local education. To address these persistent issues, the 2025 first Infanta Education Summit convened hundreds of stakeholders at the Northern Quezon Auditorium on November 15.
In his address, Mayor Ruanto delivered the sobering results of recent assessments, reporting that the town lacks 72 classrooms. This shortage forces schools to conduct shifting schedules, combine sections, and rely on makeshift structures made of galvanized iron sheets.
The mayor noted that these harsh conditions mirror a broader provincial problem, as more than 3,400 classrooms are lacking across Quezon. He stressed that no child should be forced to learn in conditions that compromise their safety and dignity.
Ruanto said these situations are “painful to witness,” especially when young learners have no choice but to endure overcrowded, improvised spaces just to continue their studies. He stressed that no child should be forced to learn in conditions that compromise their safety and dignity.
“Madalas kong marinig ang mga magulang at guro na nakiusap para sa mas ligtas at mas matinong silid-aralan para sa bata. Masakit isipin na dito pumapasok ang mga bata araw-araw. Hindi ako pwedeng manahimik. Hindi ako pwedeng walang gawin,” Ruanto said.
He stressed that the urgency of the situation demands collective courage and clear, coordinated action from every sector. This push for unity formed the central theme of his address on moving past the crisis.
“Kailangan kong kasama ang buong komunidad sa paghahanap ng solusyon na akma sa bigat at bilis ng krisis. Hindi natin ito malalampasan kung hindi tayo magtutulungan. Ang kinabukasan ng mga bata ang nakataya,” Ruanto said. He emphasized that only community cooperation could overcome the immense challenge.
He also described the struggles of students who walk several hours each day through steep, muddy terrain and across river crossings without proper bridges just to reach school. Ruanto said these daily hardships reveal the extent of inequality faced by children in remote communities and highlight the urgency of investing in proper school facilities and accessible routes.
“Araw-araw nilang hinaharap ang delubyong daan para lang makapasok sa klase. Hindi katanggap-tanggap na ang pag-aaral ay parang isang panganib na kailangan nilang lampasan. Kailangang tiyakin natin na ligtas at abot-kamay ang edukasyon para sa bawat batang Infanta,” Ruanto said.
The Mayor's detailed accounts underscore the urgent call for systemic change in education delivery, emphasizing that the time for discussion is over. The municipality faces a genuine education crisis that demands decisive action immediately.
“Hindi na natin pwedeng ipagpaliban ang mga kailangan gawin para sa edukasyon. Bawat araw na lumilipas nang walang aksyon ay isang araw na nawawala sa mga bata. Tungkulin nating ibalik sa kanila ang pag-asang matagal nang naaantala,” Ruanto said.
The combined impact of insufficient classrooms, storm damage, and slow infrastructure delivery caused a learning environment deficit in Infanta. Current data shows that the educational needs related to the 72 missing classrooms remain far from being met.
Aquino Outlines National Crisis and Policy
Senator Bam Aquino, the keynote speaker, reinforced the urgency of the situation by outlining the national classroom crisis. He revealed that as of October 2025, the Department of Public Works and Highways completed only 22 classrooms for the entire country, far from the 165,000 classrooms needed nationwide.
“Hindi sapat ang ganitong bilis ng paggawa ng classroom. Paano uusad ang edukasyon kung sa isang taon, dalampu’t dalawa lang ang natatapos? Kailangan natin ng sistema na tunay na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga bata,” Aquino said.
He noted the backlog stems from years of slow project implementation, procurement bottlenecks, and recurring disasters. These issues damage existing school buildings faster than replacements can be built.
Aquino and local officials later visited Binulasan Integrated School, one of Infanta’s most affected campuses. Students there continue studying in unsafe makeshift rooms after several classrooms were condemned.
Super Typhoon Uwan worsened the crisis by destroying or damaging hundreds of classrooms across Quezon. Aquino said the government must fast-track repairs for hundreds of classrooms and school facilities left unusable after the storm.
He also noted that while some DPWH-built classrooms cost up to ₱4 million each, several NGOs and civic groups have constructed durable classrooms for less than ₱2 million. He said this contrast highlights how much faster and more economically classrooms could be built.
“Kung kaya ng iba na makapagtayo ng matibay na classroom sa mas mababang halaga, dapat kaya rin ng pamahalaan. Hindi dapat mas mahal ang classroom habang lumalala ang kakulangan. Kailangan natin ng mabilis, maayos, at makataong sistema para matugunan ang pangangailangan ng bawat bata,” Aquino said.
Aquino emphasized Senate Bill 1482, the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program Act, which authorizes local governments and civil society groups to build classrooms using national funds. He said the measure aims to cut through slow national processes and match construction speed with actual needs.
“Kung mabibigyan ng kapangyarihan ang LGU at komunidad, mas bibilis ang paggawa ng mga silid-aralan. Hindi natin kayang umasa sa mabagal na proseso habang lumalaki ang pangangailangan. Kailangan natin ng agarang aksyon para hindi maiwan ang mga bata,” Aquino said.
He also highlighted the need to extend the school-based feeding program, strengthen internet access in schools, and increase non-teaching personnel. He noted the 2026 national education budget will exceed ₱1 trillion for the first time.
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