Education Secretary Leonor Briones lauded and thanked President Duterte for his “strong support” for basic education as manifested in his veto message on the passing of the 2022 National Budget.

“These key provisions will enable our field units and our schools to be more flexible as we continue implementing the Basic Education – Learning Continuity Plan in an effort to continue the education of our youth, whether it be face-to-face or through distance learning,” Briones said in a statement issued Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Briones expressed gratitude to the President for strengthening support for basic education particularly in giving a boost to the funding of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program and the expanded use of Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).

In his message, Duterte applauded the “relentless efforts” of the DepEd in pursuing its mandate in the face of the persisting public health emergency due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by continuing to “provide quality education to our learners” through the ALS Programs.

“I commend our teachers, coordinators, and facilitators for their unwavering commitment and sacrifices in adapting to the new learning environment,” Duterte said.

DepEd said that the appropriated P559-Million under Flexible Learning Options (FLO) has been identified for the implementation of ALS Programs --- which includes the delivery of ALS services, ALS Community Learning Centers, and for transportation and teaching aid allowance for ALS teachers and ALS Community Implementers.

In addition, DepEd said that the President has also allowed for the modification of the issued allotment for MOOE.

This, DepEd explained, aims to aid in “the gradual reopening of schools and campuses currently being undertaken with utmost regard for the safety of students, faculty, and staff, which includes initiating adjustments on the classroom set-up, such as appropriate lay-out and proper ventilation among others.”