TACLOBAN CITY – Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre, chair of the House committee on higher and technical education and co-chair of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), underscored the urgency of addressing the country’s classroom shortage during the Department of Education’s (DepEd) 2026 budget deliberations on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

DepEd data shows a backlog of around 165,000 classrooms nationwide, with only 4,869 slated for construction in 2026. At this rate, it could take up to 55 years to close the gap. EDCOM 2, in its review, described the shortage as a structural challenge that weakens both access to and quality of education.

“The evidence from DepEd and EDCOM 2 is clear: the current pace of construction is far too slow. The classroom shortage is not just a statistic—it means children crammed into overcrowded spaces, teachers forced into double or triple shifts, and learning outcomes that continue to decline,” Acidre said.

He suggested granting emergency powers to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expedite classroom construction through streamlined procurement, reduced red tape, and direct mobilization of resources.

DepEd, meanwhile, is banking on Public–Private Partnerships (PPP) to help address the crisis. Under PSIP III, 15,000 classrooms are targeted by 2027, with PSIP IV and V expected to deliver 30,000 and 60,000 classrooms, respectively. Acidre, however, noted these remain medium- to long-term solutions. “PPP projects are a welcome complement, but they cannot substitute for immediate action. The urgency of the backlog demands solutions that can be felt now,” he said.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, saying he would support such a proposal if Congress deems it necessary, provided safeguards are in place. Lawmakers also emphasized that extraordinary authority must come with accountability measures, including transparent procurement, third-party monitoring, and regular reporting to Congress.

“Education is the foundation of nation-building. If we cannot even provide classrooms where children can learn, then we are failing an entire generation. This is not just an education issue—it is a national development imperative,” Acidre concluded.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY-With the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters that continue to intensify over time, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) cited the importance of GeoRiskPH Integrated Platform at the weeklong celebration of the 2025 Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) in Eastern Visayas.

Launched in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs), the GeoRiskPH, which includes tools like HazardHunterPH, GeoAnalyticsPH, GeoMapper and PlanSmart Ready-to-Rebuild, is designed to strengthen community resilience through science-based risk assessment.

At the opening ceremony of the 2025 RSTW in Eastern Visayas, a memorandum of agreement was signed for the regional adoption of the GeoRiskPH which encourages local government units to utilize the integrated platforms and take advantage of tools that aid in enhancing disaster preparedness through data-driven planning and decision-making, improving resource allocation through efficient utilization of funds for disaster risk reduction, stronger institutional capacity through comprehensive training on data management and analysis, and integrated efforts for sustainable development by incorporating risk reduction into local planning processes.

“This platform is more than just data, it’s about saving lives. We are building our collaboration with our local governments and communities to use this technology to prepare better, build smarter, and respond faster,” DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said.

The GeoRiskPH Integrated Platform was developed to provide accessible, accurate, and timely hazard information to local governments, planners, and even ordinary citizens.
The program is designed for various stakeholders involved in disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines, including government agencies, private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the general public.

Anchored on the national theme, “Siyensiya, Teknolohiya at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Kinabukasan,” and the regional focus “Building Smart and Sustainable Communities,” this year’s RSTW underscores the role of science, technology and innovation in addressing pressing community needs and driving inclusive development. (ACR/PIA Leyte)

TACLOBAN CITY – Three hundred families in this city have officially “graduated” from the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), marking a milestone in their journey from poverty to self-sufficiency.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) honored the families in a Pugay Tagumpay ceremony, which recognized their successful completion of the program after years of receiving conditional cash grants along with livelihood and skills development interventions.

Among the graduates were the families of Jenneth Sabulao of Barangay 48-A and Kimberly Monterozo of Barangay 31, who both credited 4Ps for transforming their lives.

Monterozo, a former child-grantee, recently passed the licensure examination for teachers after finishing college with the help of the program. “This program has transformed not only my life but also my entire family, giving us a chance to prioritize education and health without worrying too much about finances,” she said. Four of her nine family members are now employed, significantly improving their household income.

For Sabulao, the program provided not only financial assistance for her children’s schooling but also skills training that helped her and her husband become more resilient parents. Nearly a decade after joining 4Ps, she now works as a regular employee at the Department of Education Tacloban City Division. “Attending family development sessions helped us believe in ourselves, learn to socialize, and gain knowledge in disaster preparedness, financial management, health, and leadership skills,” she said.

Though the 300 families are now formally exiting the program, the DSWD emphasized that government support will continue. The agency has partnered with institutions such as the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Agriculture (DA), and private companies to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities and after-care interventions.

“We need sustainability even after you have exited from the program. The government will continue to assist you through the support of local chief executives,” said 4Ps National Program Manager Gemma Gabuya during the ceremony.

As part of the transition, DSWD turned over the case folders of the exited beneficiaries to the Tacloban City government through its City Social Welfare and Development Office for continued monitoring.

Launched in 2008 and institutionalized in 2019 through Republic Act No. 11310, 4Ps is the country’s flagship poverty reduction strategy, providing conditional cash transfers for up to seven years to improve the health, nutrition, and education of children in poor households.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)