In support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s priority to strengthen public education, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that 77.67 percent or 1,332 local government units (LGUs) have already utilized at least 85 percent of their Special Education Fund (SEF) for education-focused programs, activities, and projects, including the construction and improvement of classrooms.

According to the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) assessment, 82.33 percent or 1,412 LGUs also implemented inclusive education initiatives such as the Madrasah program for Muslim learners. Additionally, 81.28 percent or 1,394 LGUs partnered with external stakeholders to complete education projects, while 90.32 percent or 1,549 LGUs initiated programs aligned with local education reform priorities.

The SEF is sourced from the additional one percent real property tax mandated by the Local Government Code of 1991 and is allocated for education-related programs and projects.

Among SEF-funded initiatives are new classrooms built in Natividad High School, San Antonio Integrated High School, and San Juan Nepomuceno Elementary School in Guagua, Pampanga. In Badiangan, Iloilo, two classroom buildings were also completed at Astorga Primary School.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-Over-77-of-LGUs-use-Special-Education-Fund-to-build-improve-classrooms/NC-2025-1077