With natural disasters continuing to disrupt classes nationwide, the Department of Education (DepEd) has allocated P1.35 billion for the printing, delivery, and training associated with Learning Packets and Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) materials.

In a statement on Friday, Oct. 24, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative seeks to provide teachers and learners with resources that ensure classes can go on safely during temporary school closures.

“These funds are about preparedness and continuity. Sa panahong mahirap, mas kailangan ng mga bata ang pag-asa at direksyon. Kaya kahit limitado ang kuryente, signal, o daan, dapat may paraan pa rin para magpatuloy ang pag-aaral (In difficult times, children need hope and direction even more. That’s why, even with limited electricity, signal, or access roads, there must still be a way for learning to continue),” he said.

The DepEd chief underscored that beyond learning recovery, there is now a need to invest in learning readiness.

“Kung handa ang paaralan, handa rin ang bansa (If the schools are ready, the nation is ready too). Education is not only about what we teach in good weather—it’s about how we make learning endure, rain or shine,” said Angara.

The agency said the total funding, inclusive of allocations from the Regional Offices, consists of P950 million for the printing and distribution of Learning Packets for Grades 1 to 12 and P499 million for Dynamic Learning Program materials intended for Junior High School learners.

“Public schools are instructed to provide one (1) set of Learning Packets per grade level to students from Grade 1 to Grade 12,” DepEd stated.

The education department said every Learning Packet will feature 25 to 50 self-paced exercises per grade level aimed at strengthening learners’ literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking abilities.

“Some materials also include enrichment activities for advanced learning or life skills development,” it added.

According to DepEd, the DLP provides structured, activity-driven lessons designed for students to complete independently.

“Learners can copy and answer the DLP sheets using paper or notebooks, making it possible to continue learning even without electricity, gadgets, or internet connection,” it noted.

Angara said the materials form part of DepEd’s ongoing push for learning resilience.

“Gusto nating siguraduhin na kahit may bagyo, baha, o lindol, may hawak pa ring aralin ang bawat bata (We want to make sure that even during typhoons, floods, or earthquakes, every child still has learning materials in hand),” he said.

“Education must be the last to stop and the first to recover,” he stressed.

Per DepEd, the strategy strengthens collaboration with local government units (LGUs) so schools located in disaster-prone areas can promptly implement alternative learning setups when face-to-face classes are halted.

The agency added that Regional Directors have been tasked to monitor the on-time production and distribution of materials and to provide monthly accomplishment reports.

“The Bureau of Learning Resources (BLR), Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD), and the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) will also provide technical assistance and training for teachers and local implementers,” it stated.