DEPED TO ADOPT A MORE FORWARD-LOOKING APPROACH TO DISASTER REHABILITATION
/ 13 December 2025
THE DEPARTMENT of Education is set to adopt a more forward-looking approach to disaster rehabilitation in the education sector.
DepEd, led by Secretary Sonny Angara, is strengthening its disaster preparedness and response program in the proposed 2026 budget.
Angara said the enhanced budget comes at a critical moment as the Philippines endured another punishing year of hazards, including more than 20 typhoons and several significant earthquakes, which forced widespread class suspensions and further expanded the number of school structures needing repair or reinforcement.
“Ang bilin ng Pangulo, dapat handa tayo sa mga malalakas na kalamidad. Ngayong taon, sunod-sunod ang bagyo at malalakas na lindol na tumama sa iba’t ibang rehiyon. Kaya panahon na para hindi lang basta mag-ayos, kundi magpatayo ng mga paaralan nang mas matibay at mas matalino,” Angara said.
Under the Senate version of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, DepEd’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Program is pegged at PhP3.77 billion, a 466.9 percent surge from the PhP665.32 million allocated in the 2026 National Expenditure Program.
