Article by:
Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – The first day of classes in all public schools nationwide was generally smooth under the close watch of the various government agencies, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said on Monday.
More than 27 million learners are expected to return to 48,000 public schools and 12,000 private schools in the country.
“So far, okay naman ang reports (The reports are okay), more or less smooth. May mga minor repair lang sa ibang schools na kailangan (There are minor repairs needed in other schools),” Angara said in an ambush interview on the sidelines of his visits for the opening of the School Year 2025-2026.
Angara said close coordination among government agencies is in full swing to address the needs and safety of both learners and teachers, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“Lahat ng ahensya this week, nakabantay sa ating mga paaralan, sa ating mga estudyante… Iyong buong makinarya ng gobyerno ayon sa Pangulo ay nakatutok dito sa pasukan (All of the agencies, this week are focusing in our schools, in all of our students. The entire government machinery, according to the president, are focused in the school opening),” he said.
Angara lauded the efforts of key offices, including the Departments of the Interior and Local Government, Health, Information and Communication Technology, Energy, Trade and Industry (DTI), Social Welfare and Development, Public Works and Highway, National Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council, PAGASA, Meralco, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, and Philippine National Police (PNP).
The DTI launched its Balik-Eskwela Diskwento (Back to School Discount) Caravan in Ermita, Manila to provide students, parents, and teachers with school supplies at lower prices.
Concerns
Angara, meanwhile, assured they are addressing the needs of San Francisco High School in Quezon City after a fire damaged a building Sunday.
“Daan-daang tables and armchairs ang kailangan. So, inumpisahan na namin. Nagso-sourcing na kami ngayon (Hundreds of tables and armchairs are needed. So, we have already started. We are now sourcing),” he said.
Of the 22 damaged rooms, Angara said eight are used as classrooms.
DepEd Media Relations chief Dennis Legaspi reported that 344 concerns nationwide were reported to the command center.
“The top category was enrollment concerns, comprising 97 (28.20 percent) of all concerns. Most of these involved inquiries regarding requirements for the transfer of learners,” he told the Philippine News Agency in a Viber message.
PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said students and parents could seek police assistance through 911 for bullying-related incidents, including those happening outside the school premises.
He said 27,000 cops were deployed nationwide, while over 5,000 police assistance desks were set up for the school opening.
“We assure the parents that your PNP will be watching over your children with the goal of protecting them and ensuring that their learning environment is safe and peaceful,” he said in a statement. (With a report from Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
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