AS the new year begins and following the enactment of the 2026 national budget, Secretary Sonny Angara said the Department of Education (DepEd) is continuing system readiness and coordination measures to support learning continuity and safeguard the welfare of learners and teachers as classes proceed nationwide.
With the passage of the agency’s P1.015-trillion budget for 2026, the department vowed to further strengthen learning continuity in areas heavily affected by last year’s natural disasters while steadfastly prioritizing the health, safety and welfare of both teachers and learners.
“Marami man tayong pagsubok na kinaharap noong nakaraang taon, lalo na ang mga kalamidad na nakaapekto sa pagkatuto ng ating mga mag-aaral, patuloy nating isusulong ang learning continuity sa ating mga paaralan (Despite the many challenges we faced last year, especially the disasters that affected our students’ learning, we will continue to promote learning continuity in our schools),” Secretary Angara said.
Last year, public schools faced multiple major natural disasters that tested the resilience of school facilities and classrooms. For instance, Super Typhoon Uwan damaged 2,953 schools in affected areas. Of these, 10,400 classrooms sustained varying degrees of damage, leading to the suspension of classes for days and even weeks.
To ensure that learning continues despite the lack of permanent facilities, Secretary Angara underscored the need for swift and practical solutions, particularly the establishment of Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS), which can be constructed within a matter of weeks.
Based on the latest data from DepEd, a total of 133 LCS units across 127 sites nationwide — located in areas severely affected by multiple typhoons and earthquakes — are currently being procured by the agency with awards targeted within the first quarter of 2026.
DepEd also shared that the agency is studying ways to further enhance the LCS, including the installation of window shutters or storm guards to prevent glass breakage caused by strong winds during typhoons.
Apart from infrastructure interventions, Secretary Angara assured that the department will continue implementing Alternative Delivery Modalities or ADMs in areas affected by past and ongoing natural disasters to ensure that the safety, welfare and well-being of teachers and learners remain a top priority while learning continues.
“It is important for DepEd to ensure that our learners can continue their education even in the face of calamities. Rest assured that the agency will implement these measures in ways that are responsive to the needs of our schools, taking into consideration their current situation,” Secretary Angara noted in Filipino.
Within the first quarter of the year, DepEd is also set to issue a policy that will promote a safe, inclusive and motivating learning environment, reinforcing that schools must be free from all forms of violence, harassment, and bullying among teachers and learners.
The policy will seek to mitigate cases of Learner Rights and Protection (LRP) concerns nationwide, strengthen prevention and response mechanisms in schools and learning centers, and increase stakeholders’ involvement in addressing LRP-related concerns.
Source: DepEd prioritizes learning continuity, learners’ and teachers’ welfare as schools welcome 2026
