Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV is pushing separate Senate inquiries into rising electricity costs and the delayed rollout of billions of pesos allocated for classroom construction, citing concerns over the impact of both issues on Filipino families and students.
Aquino, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, said he would investigate the reported underutilization of the P67-billion allocation under the 2026 national budget for the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program and examine the reasons behind increasing electricity rates affecting consumers.
The senator raised concerns after inspecting public schools in Montalban, Rizal, including Kasiglahan Village National High School and Kasiglahan Elementary School, where two school buildings were declared structurally unsafe due to cracks found in classrooms and hallways.
The affected facilities, built in 2013, could no longer be used, forcing more than 13,000 students to attend classes under compressed and multi-shift schedules.
Aquino questioned why newly built school facilities had deteriorated to the point of being declared unsafe and said authorities must determine who was responsible for the construction.
“Hanapin namin kung sino yung nagbuo niyan because wala pang 6 na taon, di mo na magagamit. Di naman pwede yon, di ba? Hold up yun,” Aquino said.
He also raised concerns over the slow use of funds intended to address the country’s classroom shortage, particularly as the rainy season continues.
Aquino said the Senate Committee on Basic Education will hold a hearing on the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program to determine where the P67-billion allocation has gone and how it is being utilized.
“Nakita namin may building po dito, condemned na, di na po pwedeng magamit. Yung classrooms na to, mahalaga na ma-repair o di kaya, magiba na lang makagawa ng bago,” he said.
Aside from education concerns, Aquino is also seeking an investigation into rising electricity rates through Senate Resolution No. 508.
The measure seeks to examine the reasons behind increasing power costs and the country’s high electricity rates compared with other Southeast Asian nations.
Aquino said Filipino households are among those facing some of the highest residential electricity costs in the region, with consumers paying around P11 to P12.95 per kilowatt-hour.
He said expensive electricity affects not only household budgets but also economic growth, as families are forced to allocate more money for utility bills instead of food, medicine, and education.
The senator also pointed to the impact on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which face higher operating costs that could limit expansion and job creation.
To provide immediate relief, Aquino is pushing the “Panukalang Batas para sa Abot-Kayang Pamumuhay” or Affordable Living Agenda, which includes the Kuryenteng Walang VAT Bill seeking to remove the 12 percent value-added tax on electricity consumption.
Despite the ongoing impeachment trial in the Senate, Aquino said economic concerns affecting Filipinos must continue to be addressed.
“Hindi naman ’yan just because impeachment doesn’t mean that these problems stop. In fact, tuloy-tuloy ’yung mga problemang ito. So tuloy-tuloy rin dapat ’yung mga solusyon at ’yung mga repormang kailangan gawin,” Aquino said.
The Department of Energy (DOE), led by Secretary Sharon Garin, expressed support for the planned legislative inquiry, saying the probe could help monitor power distributors, identify policy gaps, and strengthen consumer protection.
Aquino said the twin investigations aim to ensure that public funds intended for education are properly used and that consumers receive protection from rising electricity costs.
Photo courtesy of Aquino’s Office
Comments