The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, June 27, announced that public schools across the country are now reaping the benefits of its Early Procurement Activities (EPA)—with the 2025 DepEd Computerization Program (DCP) already seeing the widespread delivery of laptops and digital learning tools ahead of schedule.

DepEd said the early procurement push—spearheaded by Education Secretary Sonny Angara in response to President Marcos’s directive for faster and more efficient delivery of educational resources—has significantly improved the rollout of essential digital tools to both teaching and non-teaching personnel nationwide.

Unlike in previous years, 2025 marks a significant transformation in how digital tools are delivered to schools in Zambales—a shift noted by Schools Division Superintendent William Roderick R. Fallorin.

“Kung matatandaan niyo, late na dumarating yung mga laptops natin, yung DCP packages natin (If you recall, our laptops and DCP packages used to arrive late),” Fallorin explained.

“Usually, by the time na dumating sa mga schools, hindi na 100% functional, tapos yung iba parang hindi na masyado magamit (Usually, by the time they got to the schools, they were no longer 100% functional, and some of them were barely usable),” he added.

For the 2025 cycle, DepEd procured a total of 33,539 laptops for teaching personnel, with 9,466 units already delivered. Additionally, 5,360 laptops for non-teaching staff were purchased, with 3,255 units already deployed. The department also acquired 25,949 Smart TV packages with external hard drives, 6,634 of which have been distributed as of the second quarter of 2025.

DepEd reported that approximately 79 percent of the DCP 2025 budget has already been awarded—a major milestone signaling the program’s early momentum. With this head start, many schools began receiving equipment as early as the first quarter of the year, unlike in previous cycles when delays disrupted classroom integration.

Fallorin, who oversees around 300 public schools, emphasized that early procurement makes a significant difference.

“Malaking bagay na nag-Early Procurement tayo. Wala pang budget, nagpo-procure na tayo. By the time na ma-approve ang GAA, ia-award na lang siya (It’s a big deal that we initiated early procurement. Even before the budget was approved, we were already procuring. So once the GAA is approved, it just needs to be awarded),” he explained.

Once the General Appropriations Act (GAA) is approved, Fallorin noted that awarding becomes immediate. “So by the time na mai-award, yung distribution, sunod-sunod na. Dati kasi, hindi natin nagagawa ‘yun. Nai-stuck pa sa warehouses (So once it’s awarded, the distribution follows quickly. Before, we couldn’t do that—supplies would get stuck in warehouses),” he added.

Fallorin also praised Secretary Angara’s strong emphasis on early procurement.

“Parang ngayon talaga yung matinding emphasis diyan. Napabilis ng gusto yung proseso (There’s a real emphasis now. The process has sped up significantly),” he said.

Early delivery also ensures that teachers can maximize the lifespan and functionality of their digital tools. Fallorin noted that when a laptop arrives late in the school year, its effective use is shortened. But with early procurement, teachers receive devices in peak condition—maximizing their utility and lifespan.

The reform is especially impactful for provinces like Zambales, where local budgets are limited.

While schools aim to provide laptops to teachers, local government funds are not always sufficient. With DepEd’s support, Fallorin said, teachers can now work more efficiently.

Fallorin also expressed his appreciation on behalf of field officials: “To our DepEd family, especially the Central Office—thank you for pushing EPA. We in the field are here to help implement this.”

The implementation of EPA under Angara’s leadership marks a transformative shift in how DepEd delivers learning tools to public schools.

By addressing long-standing procurement delays, the agency is ushering in a new era of readiness, performance, and learner-centered education in the Philippines.