SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday hailed the approval of the World Bank-financed Project for Learning Upgrade Support and Decentralization (PLUS-D), calling it a “major step” toward addressing the country’s learning crisis and accelerating recovery in basic education.

Gatchalian said the program is expected to benefit around 21.2 million learners from Kindergarten to Grade 10 nationwide.

He added that it will reinforce and complement the Department of Education’s Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, which is set to receive funding under the 2026 national budget.

“The approval of the World Bank-financed Project for Learning Upgrade Support and Decentralization is a major step toward nationwide learning recovery,” Gatchalian said.

“It will strengthen the implementation of ARAL and ensure that no learner is left behind as we rebuild the foundations of education,” he added.

The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, also stressed the importance of ensuring the effective and transparent implementation of learning recovery programs.

“Mahalagang tiyakin nating maipapatupad nang epektibo ang mga programang ito. Hindi puwedeng mabinbin o malustay ang mga proyektong tutugon sa krisis sa edukasyon,” he said.

PLUS-D forms part of the government’s ongoing collaboration with international partners to improve learning outcomes, modernize education delivery, and empower local governments to take a more active role in school management and resource allocation.