Angara urges long-term reforms as DepEd faces EDCOM II

Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscored the urgency of strengthening long-term reforms in basic education as the Department of Education (DepEd) faced the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) on Tuesday.

He emphasized that thee reforms are vital to addressing persistent gaps that affect learning quality and system performance.

The hearing, held at Nemesio I. Yabut Integrated School in Makati City, focused on reviewing the DepEd Charter under Republic Act No. 9155, which defines the department’s governance and mandate. EDCOM II’s review aims to update education laws to meet emerging challenges in policy, resources, and coordination.

“We need long-term solutions to fix the education system in the country,” Angara said. “Our reforms aim to make DepEd more focused, better resourced, and strategically aligned.”

Angara said the department is pursuing priority legislative measures to address implementation and financing gaps, including:

• Expansion of the Special Education Fund (SEF) to boost local education resources;

• Expedited issuance of school site titles to accelerate infrastructure development;

• New Adopt-A-School provisions to encourage greater private sector involvement;

• Teachers in Every Barrio Bill to ensure equitable teacher deployment; and

• Amendments to the Teachers Professionalization Act to support comprehensive human resource reforms.

For broader learner welfare, DepEd is also proposing amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act and the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE) Law to improve access to feeding programs, learner subsidies, and transportation support.

These initiatives are part of DepEd’s Quality Basic Education Development Plan (QBEDP) 2025–2035, a 10-year roadmap envisioning a high-performing, learner-centered, and well-supported education system.

DepEd’s presentation noted that since 1982, 49 laws have expanded the department’s responsibilities, many with specific implementation requirements but without sustained funding. Persistent challenges include unfunded mandates, resource shortfalls, and systemic gaps that require cross-sectoral coordination.

READ: Lawmakers, education agencies push for Edcom extension

The agency also participates in 261 interagency councils, creating coordination burdens that dilute focus and resources.

“DepEd’s mandate will keep evolving,” Angara said. “But if we strengthen our foundations now—funding, governance, and inter-agency alignment—we can finally make the system work for every Filipino learner.”