SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez today welcomed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) partnership with HOPE and other private companies to address the country’s massive classroom backlog, calling it a landmark collaboration that advances President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a whole-of-nation approach to transform the education sector.
DepEd’s Generation HOPE program mobilizes the resources of HOPE and partner companies such as SM, Penshoppe, Grab, Aivee, Carmen’s Best, Sunnies, and Banco de Oro to construct new classrooms nationwide under a public-private partnership scheme with the education department.
“Ang proyektong ito ay hindi lamang pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan kundi pagbibigay ng konkretong pag-asa sa bawat batang Pilipino. Sa pagtutulungan ng pamahalaan at pribadong sektor, nakapagbibigay tayo ng mas ligtas, maayos, at mas epektibong kapaligiran para sa kanilang pag-aaral,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Established in 2012 by Nanette Medved-Po, the HOPE group—composed of Generation HOPE, Inc. and Friends of HOPE—channels 100 percent of profits from its flagship products, such as Hope in a Bottle and Hope in a Box, into classrooms and other social projects.
To date, the company has built 144 classrooms, benefitting 52,000 learners nationwide. Each classroom measures 7 by 9 meters, is designed to withstand strong typhoons, and comes fully equipped with a chalkboard, a teacher’s desk, fans, a restroom, and ample ventilation.
Romualdez emphasized that the collaboration underscores the private sector’s readiness to support President Marcos’ commitment to bridging education gaps.
Speaker Romualdez also praised Education Secretary Sonny Angara for his decisive leadership in rallying both government and private stakeholders behind the program.
“Malinaw na ang direksiyon at malasakit ni Secretary Angara ang nagbibigay ng bagong sigla at kumpiyansa sa ating sektor ng edukasyon. Sa kanyang pamumuno, natitiyak natin na ang mga reporma at inisyatiba ng DepEd ay nakaangkla sa pangarap ng Pangulo na mabigyan ng dekalidad na edukasyon ang bawat batang Pilipino,” Romualdez said.
“Sa pakikipag-tulungan sa pribadong sektor, binubuo din natin ang pundasyon ng mga pangarap ng ating susunod na henerasyon—ang pundasyon na magtataas sa kalidad ng edukasyon sa ating bansa at tutulong sa kanila na maisakatuparan ang kanilang mga panaginip,” he added.
In his SONA last July 28, President Marcos announced that his administration will work hand in hand with the private sector to build 40,000 additional classrooms by 2028, in line with his goal of ensuring at least one college or technical-vocational graduate in every Filipino family.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating pribadong sektor sa walang sawang suporta para sa mga adhikain ng Marcos administration. Ito ay patunay na pinapahalagahan din ng pribadong sektor ang edukasyon ng ating mga mag-aaral upang sila ay maging produktibo, ano man ang larangan na kanilang tahakin sa hinaharap,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He also assured that Congress is fully behind the President’s education agenda: “Kami sa Kongreso ay buo rin ang suporta sa programa ng Pangulo na magtayo ng mas marami pang silid-aralan at tutugunan namin ang kanyang hiling sa sapat na pondo habang binabalangkas namin ang ₱6.793-trillion na panukalang budget para sa susunod na taon.”
In the 2026 proposed national budget, ₱28.1 billion has been allocated for Basic Education Facilities, which includes the construction of 4,869 new classrooms and the rehabilitation of existing ones.
Romualdez noted that this collaboration is not only about building classrooms but also about demonstrating the essence of Bagong Pilipinas—where government, private sector, and communities work hand in hand to uplift lives and create lasting change.
“Much more should be done to close the gaps and help advance our education system. As we deliberate on the proposed funding for our teachers and learners, we will see to it that every peso from our taxpayers is prudently and wisely spent for the future of our young, many of whom only wish to uplift their families out of poverty,” Romualdez said.
He concluded: “Under a Bagong Pilipinas, we will aim to make Filipino students and their families feel that we in the government are with them, every step of the way, as they work hard to reach their dreams. This is how governance should be—a commitment to ensuring the future of our next generation of responsible citizens and leaders.
