Angara backs inclusive learning with 1st DepEd-led ALS Center in Mindoro
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education has formally inaugurated the country’s first DepEd-funded Alternative Learning System (ALS) Community Learning Center (CLC) in Barangay Sto. Niño, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.
This milestone underscores the government’s commitment to making education more accessible to out-of-school youth, learners in difficult circumstances, and adult learners seeking a second chance.
The two-storey facility, constructed with a budget of P16.5 million, sits on a one-hectare property donated by the Local Government of Sablayan. Envisioned as a Type 5 ALS Community Learning Center, the hub will serve not only ALS learners but also the wider community through learning, training, and resource-sharing activities.
READ: Angara opens first Mindanao ALS learning center in Agusan del Norte
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the inauguration reflects the commitment of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensuring that no Filipino is denied the opportunity to learn simply because they were unable to complete formal schooling.
“Every learner has a story. Some had to stop schooling to help their families earn a living. Some became parents at a young age. Others live in communities where access to education remains a challenge. None of these circumstances should define the limits of their future,” Angara said.
“For our ALS learners, this is more than a building; it is a place where dreams that were once put on hold can move forward again. It is where skills can be developed, qualifications can be earned, and new opportunities can begin. This facility proves that the government recognizes their aspirations and is actively investing in their future,” Angara added.
Before its establishment, ALS learners in Sablayan attended classes in various community sites, namely in Poblacion, Sto. Niño, Tabuk, Tuban, and Buenavista. With the inauguration of the new facility, learners from these areas will now be consolidated into this primary hub to access better learning resources and a more conducive educational environment.
The establishment of the Center was made possible through the collaboration of DepEd, the Local Government of Sablayan, the Provincial Government of Occidental Mindoro, UNICEF Philippines, and other partners committed to advancing inclusive and equitable education.
The Center will also serve as a resource hub equipped with learning materials and digital tools to support modern learning approaches. Through its partnership with UNICEF Philippines under the ICT4ALS Project, the facility will receive digital learning resources and equipment, including laptops, a television set, and a printer.
Teachers and learners will also undergo training to enhance their digital competencies and maximize the use of technology in education.
As millions of Filipinos continue to pursue pathways to complete basic education, improve literacy, gain employable skills, and pursue better opportunities for themselves and their families, the inauguration signals a broader direction for the ALS. DepEd continues to strengthen learning opportunities for those who remain outside the formal school system.
