BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

The Department of Education emphasized long-term structural reforms in basic education as regional officials from across the country met in Palawan for the nationwide Management Committee Meeting, using MIMAROPA’s conditions as a working case to strengthen learning continuity, system integrity, and school readiness in disaster-prone areas.

“Ang bilin ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr., tungkulin natin ay hindi lang tumugon sa problema,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who accompanied the President during the post-disaster rehabilitation efforts in Negros Occidental over the weekend. “Ang tungkulin natin ay ayusin ang ugat ng problema para hindi na ito maulit sa susunod na henerasyon.”

The meeting reviewed how recent typhoons disrupted classes nationwide and exposed long-standing vulnerabilities in schools. In Palawan, division reports confirmed 781 damaged classrooms due to Typhoon Tino, with repairs ongoing, while shifts to modular and digital Alternative Delivery Modes (ADMs) continue where power and connectivity remain unstable.

DepEd said the school damage in island provinces reinforces the need for resilient construction, stronger ADM systems, and funding strategies that match recurring risks, noting that divisions with frequent class suspensions require more predictable support.

Regional directors also reported on its response to recent typhoons, detailing classroom damages and the ongoing use of modular and digital learning across Regions II, CAR, IV-A, V, NIR, and VII, as officials discussed nationwide strategies.

National reforms were also presented, including updates to the Strengthened Senior High School Program, wherein the 1st quarter rapid assessment yielded generally positive results.
Field piloting and finalization of the SSHS Monitoring Tool (SSHSMT) are underway. With MIMAROPA’s labor market centered on agriculture, fisheries, and ecotourism, aligning course offering with actual market performance and industry roadmap of the region under the program was also discussed to improve the program.

A significant portion of the meeting also focused on internal governance and the credibility of teacher qualifications. DepEd reported that the new guidelines establishing a national registry of recognized teacher education programs have been finalized, allowing the department to verify credentials submitted for hiring and promotion, issue advisories to field offices, and coordinate with oversight agencies to prevent the acceptance of unaccredited programs.

These measures, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Teacher Education Council (TEC), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), aim to shut down opportunities for “diploma mill” operations and safeguard promotion processes nationwide.

Meanwhile, DepEd said investigations on the supposed “items-for-sale” activities remain active and are being carried out under established procedures. Preventive measures are in place, and additional safeguards are being introduced to protect appointment and promotion processes.

Prior to the meeting, Sec. Angara also met with Palawan Governor Amy Alvarez and visited Palawan National School, the largest public school in Region IV-B, serving around 10,000 students under the Puerto Princesa City Schools Division Office.

The agency noted that actions taken in MIMAROPA form part of a broader national effort to strengthen learning recovery, improve system transparency, and professionalize the education workforce. Outputs from the MANCOM will feed into upcoming policy adjustments on resilient infrastructure, early-grade literacy, SHS alignment, and expanded career progression.

*All Photos from DepEd