DepEd’s Bold Call at First LEDAC: Feeding, Fairness, and the Future of Philippine Education

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

MANILA, 30 September 2025 — In the halls of Malacañang, where the first Council Meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) for the 20th Congress convened, the voice of education rose loud and clear. The Department of Education (DepEd), under the stewardship of Secretary Sonny Angara, delivered an urgent plea: prioritize the future of Filipino learners through expanded feeding, strengthened private education assistance, and reforms that uphold both access and accountability.

Presiding over the gathering, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored the significance of education in his administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda. But it was Angara who cut to the heart of the matter: classrooms, children, and the chance for every Filipino to succeed.

“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, dapat tiyakin natin ang ating mag-aaral ay may sapat na nutrisyon, kalidad na guro, ligtas na paaralan, at pantay na oportunidad—mapa-publiko o pribado man sila nag-aaral. Ang mga panukalang ito ay konkretong hakbang upang hindi maiwan ang kahit isang mag-aaral,” Angara declared.

His words were more than rhetoric. They were a reminder that the true measure of national progress lies not only in GDP figures or infrastructure projects but in the nourishment of young minds and bodies.

A Bold Agenda for Reform

DepEd’s priority measures, endorsed to Congress, carry the weight of sweeping reforms designed to bridge gaps long left unattended. Among them:

Expanding the Feeding Program (RA 11037 amendments)

From 120 to 160 feeding days

Universal feeding for Kindergarten to Grade 3

Inclusion of marginalized groups—indigenous learners, adolescent mothers, and other vulnerable students

Milk-based substitutes for the Milk Feeding Program

Weekly micronutrient supplements for female learners

Creation of Central Kitchens in every School Division Office to ensure consistency and efficiency

This isn’t just about meals—it’s about fighting malnutrition that stunts both growth and learning.

Strengthening GASTPE (RA 8545 amendments)

Institutionalized anti-fraud mechanisms: centralized verification, audits, whistleblower protections, and inter-agency data-sharing

Expanded voucher coverage from Kindergarten to Senior High School learners

Support extended to teachers in private education

This ensures that no learner is left behind simply because they chose—or were forced into—a different educational setting.

Empowering Teachers (RA 7836 amendments)

Modernized licensure examinations

A diverse Board for Professional Teachers

Flexibility to allow non-licensed experts to teach provisionally

These changes recognize that the strength of a nation’s education lies in its teachers—those already serving and those yet to join.

Boosting Local Education Funds (Local Government Code amendments)

Increasing the Special Education Fund (SEF) levy from 1% to 2% of assessed property value

Expanding allowable uses: from special education, IP and madrasah classes, to flexible learning, school site acquisition, and classroom maintenance

By doubling local investments, education becomes not just a national mandate but a community-powered mission.

Building Classrooms, Building Futures

DepEd also threw its weight behind the Classroom Building Acceleration Bill, a measure to fast-track the construction of classrooms across the nation. By loosening red tape and encouraging broader partnerships, the bill promises to end the chronic shortages that have left students crammed into overcrowded rooms or forced to learn under makeshift structures.

Collaboration as the Key

Angara’s call was clear: DepEd cannot do this alone. Collaboration with Congress, local government units, and development partners is not optional—it is essential.

The vision is straightforward yet profound:

Nutritious meals to fuel young learners.

Fair opportunities for students in public and private schools.

Professional growth and recognition for teachers.

Strong, well-funded communities that invest in education.

These reforms, if enacted, will not just patch old cracks in the system but lay new foundations for a generation ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century.

The Stakes for Bagong Pilipinas

The urgency cannot be overstated. Malnutrition still robs children of their ability to learn. Outdated systems leave students vulnerable to fraud and inequity. Teachers, the backbone of education, struggle against rigid laws that no longer reflect modern realities.

What DepEd has placed before Congress is not just a legislative wishlist—it is a blueprint for national resilience.

In the words of Secretary Angara, it is about ensuring “na hindi maiwan ang kahit isang mag-aaral.”

If lawmakers act with the urgency the moment demands, Bagong Pilipinas will not just be a slogan—it will be a legacy written in the lives of children who were fed, educated, and empowered to dream.

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