Manila, March 12 -- Sen. Bam Aquino on Thursday called for the immediate rollout of the PHP65 billion fund for classroom construction under the 2026 national budget to accelerate efforts to address the country's school infrastructure shortage.

Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said the Department of Education (DepEd) should promptly download the funds to local government units (LGUs) so the construction of new classrooms can begin as soon as possible.

"Mahalagang maibaba sa lalong madaling panahon ang pondo sa ating mga katuwang na lokal na pamahalaan para agad nang masimulan ang pagtatayo ng mga classroom (It is important that the funds be downloaded as soon as possible to our partner local governments so ...