- DepEd, CHEd, and TESDA unite to make schools disaster-resilient and ensure learning continuity.
- Agreements signed on data sharing, technical-vocational track strengthening, and expanding access through government programs.
- Public-private collaboration emphasized, with industry partners supporting upskilling and structured career pathways for students.
The country’s top education agencies pledged to strengthen disaster resilience in schools during their first-ever Joint National Management Committee (ManCom) meeting on Friday. The move comes amid growing concerns about protecting students from learning disruptions during calamities.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the meeting, which brought together officials from the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), aims to ensure learning delivery is prepared for disasters. “For the first time, the three main education agencies in the country came together to make sure our learning delivery is ready to respond to the challenges of disasters”, Angara said after attending relief operations in earthquake-hit Bogo City, Cebu.
The session focused on urgent issues, public-private partnerships, and improving graduates’ employability. About 15 industry partners joined the meeting, highlighting the role of collaboration in preparing students for workforce demands. Some partners shared ongoing projects with public schools to provide upskilling opportunities and suggested aligning these into structured career pathways.
Government agencies signed agreements to bolster education continuity, including a memorandum of understanding on data sharing and a memorandum of agreement to strengthen the technical-vocational track under senior high school. They also explored ways to expand access to education through programs linked to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Tertiary Education Subsidy.
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CHEd Chairperson Shirley Agrupis called the joint effort a milestone for the country’s trifocalized education system. “This is the time that we will be together with our team for a common goal toward quality education and address the problems and concerns on the ground”, she said.
TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez led a moment of silence for Filipinos affected by recent disasters, emphasizing that resilience is vital for human development. EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee also participated in the discussions.
The meeting signals a major step in building a disaster-resilient education system in the Philippines, ensuring students continue learning even in the face of emergencies.
