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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DepEd boosts disaster-resilient school budget for 2026; Angara pushes 'smarter' rebuilding

DepEd boosts disaster-resilient school budget for 2026; Angara pushes 'smarter' rebuilding

Published Dec 12, 2025 04:32 pm
The Department of Education (DepEd) said it is set to significantly strengthen its disaster preparedness and response programs under the proposed 2026 budget, as the Philippines continues to face frequent typhoons, floods, and earthquakes.
In a statement issued on December 11, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision for safer, more climate-resilient, and more inclusive public schools.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the push for safer, climate-resilient schools as the agency outlined its strengthened disaster preparedness budget for 2026 under President Marcos’ administration. (DepEd / file photo)
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the push for safer, climate-resilient schools as the agency outlined its strengthened disaster preparedness budget for 2026 under President Marcos’ administration. (DepEd / file photo)
“Ang bilin ng Pangulo, dapat handa tayo sa mga malalakas na kalamidad (The President’s directive is that we must be prepared for strong calamities),” Angara said.
He noted that this year, successive typhoons and powerful earthquakes struck various regions in the Philippines. “Kaya panahon na para hindi lang basta mag-ayos, kundi magpatayo ng mga paaralan nang mas matibay at mas matalino (That’s why it is time not just to repair, but to build schools that are stronger and smarter),” he added, emphasizing that DepEd will adopt a more forward-looking approach to disaster rehabilitation in the education sector.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative follows a year marked by strong typhoons and earthquakes that left many school facilities in urgent need of repair. (DepEd / file photo)
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative follows a year marked by strong typhoons and earthquakes that left many school facilities in urgent need of repair. (DepEd / file photo)
Under the Senate version of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, DepEd’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Program (DPRP) is proposed at P3.77 billion, a dramatic 466.9% increase from the P665.32 million allocated in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
The funding aims to enhance emergency readiness and accelerate repairs in disaster-affected schools. The final amount will be determined after bicameral approval by the House and Senate.
DepEd is also investing in ongoing disaster-mitigation reforms, including:
PlanSmart for Safe Schools – a web application supporting evidence-based contingency planning
M7X School Ready Program – certifying earthquake-ready schools along the West Valley Fault
Safer Learning Facilities Guidebook – promoting resilient, child-safe school designs
To ensure learning continuity in disaster-hit areas, DepEd has expanded the Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) and EduKahon kits and is preparing Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS)—prefabricated modular classrooms that allow education to continue while damaged structures are being repaired. Provinces like Masbate are set to benefit first, DepEd said.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara cited ongoing resilience measures, including faster school-repair programs and the rollout of modular Learning Continuity Spaces for disaster-hit areas. (DepEd / file photo)
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara cited ongoing resilience measures, including faster school-repair programs and the rollout of modular Learning Continuity Spaces for disaster-hit areas. (DepEd / file photo)
A key part of the resilience push is the Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools (ISRS) Project, funded at P9.39 billion. The program aims to upgrade more than 4,700 school buildings and 13,000 classrooms, benefiting at least 740,000 learners.
The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the World Bank, ensures that reconstructed schools are stronger and more capable of withstanding typhoons, floods, and earthquakes—breaking the cycle of repeated disaster damage.
Both the DPRP and ISRS allocations will be finalized after the bicameral conference reconciles the House and Senate versions of the 2026 national budget.
Angara emphasized that the strengthened budget marks a step toward building not just safer schools, but smarter schools—resilient learning environments that protect students and ensure education continues despite natural disasters.

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DepEd DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara President Marcos disasters disaster-resilient schools
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