All 19 city mayors from the Negros Island Region (NIR) joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara at Malacañang on Monday, Feb. 23, for the ceremonial signing of the Nationwide Classroom Building Program Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
The partnership between the Department of Education (DepEd) and city local government units is designed to fast-track the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of classrooms.
DepEd NIR Regional Director Ramir Uytico described the event as a “united commitment to strengthening educational infrastructure and building brighter futures for the youth.”
Under the new framework, city governments will take the lead in procurement, construction of classrooms, and project management to ensure faster implementation.
DepEd’s role will shift to setting technical standards and validating compliance before final turnover and payment.
Uytico said that cities were prioritized in the initial phase of the program.
Meanwhile, 16 municipalities in Negros Occidental have already submitted letters of intent to join the initiative.
However, DepEd officials clarified that a primary requirement for LGU participation is the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
According to DepEd records, three of the 16 towns — Toboso, Candoni, and Moises Padilla — currently lack the SGLG.
Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco said that his administration plans to file an appeal, noting that the town maintains a Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping.
Candoni Mayor Ray Ruiz said his office is currently waiting for feedback on their submitted letter of intent.*
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