MANILA, Philippines - The construction of 9,301 classrooms under phase 1 of the Department of Education (DepEd)’s PPP (public-private partnership) for School Infrastructure Project or PSIP begins this month.
This, DepEd said, was seen as the two consortia – Megawide-Citicore consortium and BF Corp.-Riverbanks Development Corp. – informed the department about their readiness to start actual construction activities.
The BF Corp. consortium reported to DepEd that they have already started the fabrication of the steel panels that would be used for the construction of 2,157 classrooms in Region I.
The Megawide consortium, contracted to design, construct and maintain 2,885 classrooms in Region III and 4,259 classrooms in Region IV-A, reported that they have organized and trained 69 construction teams which will undertake the construction works.
“The main task is for everyone to work together as a team and deliver based on the specifications, or even better than expected. This project is a chance for us to showcase Filipinos coming together, a chance to bring out our best,†said Education Secretary Armin Luistro.
Under the PSIP, DepEd has tapped the administration’s PPP scheme to fund the construction of classrooms apart from the classrooms funded by their yearly capital outlay budget, speeding up the DepEd’s efforts to solve the perennial classroom shortage problem of public schools.
PSIP Phase I is designed as a build-lease-and-transfer contractual arrangement pursuant to Republic Act No. 6957, as amended by Republic Act No. 7718, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
Luistro reiterated the importance of transparency, saying that these classrooms would stand as a testament that the Philippines is capable of building classrooms in the most efficient and expedient manner.
Aside from building the classrooms in a short period of time, the PSIP intends to provide high quality classrooms that are completely furnished and ready for use.
DepEd is ready to bid out another batch of classroom construction projects under the PSIP phase 2, which will involve 10,679 classrooms in 14 regions.