President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed concerned government agencies to fast-track the construction of more classrooms in the Ilocos Region through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

The President also urged them not to wait until 2030 to complete the projects.

During the Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting in Dagupan City on Friday, the President noted the Department of Education (DepEd)’s efforts to boost literacy rate in the region, which is traditionally higher than the national average.

“I’m glad to see the intervention at DepEd, the construction of the classrooms. I think we need to accelerate that. I do not think we want to wait until 2030 for all of those classrooms,” the President said during the meeting.

President Marcos said that public infrastructure and development projects can be implemented faster and at lower government costs by entering into contracts with the private sector through PPP.

The Chief Executive said such arrangements should be used again to accelerate the construction of classrooms.

The DepEd has proposed the construction of close to 3,000 classrooms in the Ilocos Region from 2025 to 2030.

It has also proposed hiring more school principals, administrative officers, school counselor associates, and project development officers for the region under the 2026 DepEd budget proposal.

Meanwhile, the DepEd is fast-tracking filling up vacant teaching positions in the region, while carrying out the annual creation and deployment of teaching items. | PND