Over 9,000 laptops delivered as DepEd accelerates digital rollout
More than 9,000 laptops have been delivered to public school teachers across the country as part of the Department of Education's (DepEd) push to modernize classroom learning through the 2025 DepEd Computerization Program (DCP), data from the agency show.
As of the second quarter of the year, DepEd confirmed the delivery of 9,466 laptops to teaching personnel and 3,255 laptops to non-teaching staff. The department also reported that 6,634 Smart TV packages — out of the 25,949 unitsprocured nationwide—have been distributed to various schools.
The faster-than-usual rollout was attributed to the agency's use of Early Procurement Activities (EPA), a mechanism that allows procurement processes to begin even before the approval of the national budget.
This approach, according to DepEd, enabled the early awarding of nearly 80% of the DCP's total budget for 2025.
According to William Roderick R. Fallorin, Schools Division Superintendent of Zambales, this year's delivery timeline is a significant improvement compared to previous years.
'Kung matatandaan niyo, late na dumarating yung mga laptops natin. Usually pagdating sa schools, hindi na 100% functional. O minsan, hindi na rin umaabot sa full lifespan nila,' he said.
(If you recall, our laptops used to arrive late. By the time they arrive, they weren't fully functional. Sometimes, they didn't even last their full intended lifespan.)
Fallorin noted that with earlier delivery, teachers are now able to maximize the use of devices during their peak performance period.
'Kung ang shelf life ay two years, at least ngayon, magagamit talaga ng teacher buong two years,' he said.
(If the shelf life is two years, teachers can now actually use it for the full duration.)
He also highlighted the importance of national support in areas with limited local funding. In provinces like Zambales, he said, local government units often lack the resources to purchase equipment independently.
'Gusto naming bigyan ng laptops ang mga guro, pero hindi kaya ng lokal na pondo. Kaya malaking bagay na dumating nang maaga ang mga ito,' he added.
(We want to provide laptops to our teachers, but local budgets can't support that. That's why receiving these devices early is a big help.)
DepEd has credited the EPA approach for reducing logistical delays that historically hampered the deployment of learning tools. In previous years, deliveries often took place mid-year, resulting in limited usability before devices required maintenance or replacement.
Still, education stakeholders continue to monitor how effectively schools are integrating the new tools into classrooms and how support systems are being established for device maintenance and training.
DepEd has not yet released a full assessment of the EPA implementation across regions, though officials say a technical report is currently being finalized.
Fallorin, speaking on behalf of school administrators in the field, expressed appreciation for the shift in approach but also emphasized the need for continued coordination across central and regional offices.
The 2025 DCP is part of a broader plan to enhance digital readiness in public education, with additional deliveries expected in the coming months. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
14 hours ago
- GMA Network
Over 9,000 laptops delivered as DepEd accelerates digital rollout
More than 9,000 laptops have been delivered to public school teachers across the country as part of the Department of Education's (DepEd) push to modernize classroom learning through the 2025 DepEd Computerization Program (DCP), data from the agency show. As of the second quarter of the year, DepEd confirmed the delivery of 9,466 laptops to teaching personnel and 3,255 laptops to non-teaching staff. The department also reported that 6,634 Smart TV packages — out of the 25,949 unitsprocured nationwide—have been distributed to various schools. The faster-than-usual rollout was attributed to the agency's use of Early Procurement Activities (EPA), a mechanism that allows procurement processes to begin even before the approval of the national budget. This approach, according to DepEd, enabled the early awarding of nearly 80% of the DCP's total budget for 2025. According to William Roderick R. Fallorin, Schools Division Superintendent of Zambales, this year's delivery timeline is a significant improvement compared to previous years. 'Kung matatandaan niyo, late na dumarating yung mga laptops natin. Usually pagdating sa schools, hindi na 100% functional. O minsan, hindi na rin umaabot sa full lifespan nila,' he said. (If you recall, our laptops used to arrive late. By the time they arrive, they weren't fully functional. Sometimes, they didn't even last their full intended lifespan.) Fallorin noted that with earlier delivery, teachers are now able to maximize the use of devices during their peak performance period. 'Kung ang shelf life ay two years, at least ngayon, magagamit talaga ng teacher buong two years,' he said. (If the shelf life is two years, teachers can now actually use it for the full duration.) He also highlighted the importance of national support in areas with limited local funding. In provinces like Zambales, he said, local government units often lack the resources to purchase equipment independently. 'Gusto naming bigyan ng laptops ang mga guro, pero hindi kaya ng lokal na pondo. Kaya malaking bagay na dumating nang maaga ang mga ito,' he added. (We want to provide laptops to our teachers, but local budgets can't support that. That's why receiving these devices early is a big help.) DepEd has credited the EPA approach for reducing logistical delays that historically hampered the deployment of learning tools. In previous years, deliveries often took place mid-year, resulting in limited usability before devices required maintenance or replacement. Still, education stakeholders continue to monitor how effectively schools are integrating the new tools into classrooms and how support systems are being established for device maintenance and training. DepEd has not yet released a full assessment of the EPA implementation across regions, though officials say a technical report is currently being finalized. Fallorin, speaking on behalf of school administrators in the field, expressed appreciation for the shift in approach but also emphasized the need for continued coordination across central and regional offices. The 2025 DCP is part of a broader plan to enhance digital readiness in public education, with additional deliveries expected in the coming months. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
DBM OKs release of P309M for Child Development Centers in barangays
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced Thursday the release of P309 million for the establishment of Child Development Centers (CDCs) through multi-purpose building (MPB) projects in various barangays across the country. In a news release, the DBM said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved the release of the funds under the Local Government Support Fund – Financial Assistance to LGUs (LGSF-FA to LGUs) in the 2025 national budget. The release also follows the guidelines set by the DBM and the Department of Education (DepEd) through Joint Circular 2 issued last April, the Budget Department said. "This is part of our continuing support for Child Development Centers, aimed at giving our children a fair start even before they step into classrooms," said Pangandaman. Under the program, LGUs must provide at least 150 square meters of land, sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council, and take on operational responsibilities to ensure the long-term viability of the CDCs. The DBM said it continues to work closely with DepEd, DILG, and the ECCD Council, as well as local governments to monitor implementation and delivery of the results at the community level. The DBM said 328 low-income LGUs are targeted to benefit from the initiative, of which 89 are in Luzon, 106 in the Visayas, and 133 in Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
DICT eyes 1M SIM cards for students, teachers in remote areas by 2026
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is subsidizing internet connectivity of students and teachers in far-flung areas through the distribution of SIM cards with free data as it aims to bridge the digital gap in far-flung communities. At a press chat in Quezon City on Thursday, DICT Undersecretary for Special Concerns Faye Condez-de Sagon said the agency has a budget of P3 billion for the rollout of the "Bayanihan SIM" initiative. Under the program, the DICT is targeting to distribute about one million SIM cards, by at least early 2026, to students, teachers as well as non-teaching staff of schools located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). "We are targeting to distribute about 600,000 SIM cards by the end of the year. The total number of SIM cards that would be distributed are 1,008,000 or about one million SIM cards by next year," Condez-de Sagon said. "The expected number of beneficiaries is roughly five million Filipinos," the DICT official added, noting that one SIM card can benefit an entire family or household. Each SIM card would be loaded with 25 gigabytes (GB) of data monthly for a period of one year. "Automatic renewal every month from the time na ma-activate… 12 months bayad na ang subscription," she said. (Automatic renewal every month from the time the SIM is activated... the subscription is already paid for a period of 12 months.) "Technically pinrocure natin ang mga SIM card sa mga telcos, ang benta po nila sa atin is mas mura sa market price. Ang isang SIM card na may 25GB is approximately P300, nabenta po nila sa atin nang P250," she added. (Technically, the government procured the SIM cards from telcos at lower than market prices. Each SIM card with 25GB sells for approximately P300, but were sold to the government for P250.) Apart from free SIM cards with subsidized monthly data load, the DICT official said telecommunication companies have committed to build about a hundred common towers in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) sites where the SIMs would be distributed. Condez-de Sagon said the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are the partner-agencies in charge of identifying the beneficiary-schools and GIDA areas for the distribution of the free SIM cards. "For a following year, (so it may) continue, the government will have a budget again provided that rollout plan and the project is successful," she said. For his part, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said mobile internet connectivity "would not be forever." "Assumption is once they are connected… e-commerce will come in… After two years, when the economic activity in the place booms their internet connectivity would be self-sustaining. We're just starting them off with connectivity," Aguda said. The "Bayanihan SIM" program was officially launched in Kalawakan Elementary School in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan—an identified GIDA site. The ceremonial launch marked the distribution of Globe-powered TM SIMs, each loaded with 25GB of monthly open-access data, to 500 students, teachers, and parents. For the coming days, the DICT is pilot-launching the project in Bani National High School Coto Annex, Masinloc, Zambales and San Nicolas Integrated School, General Luna, Quezon. About 1,500 SIM cards would be distributed by the agency in the selected schools for the initial rollout of the program. "Guided by the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure that no Filipino is left offline, this initiative goes beyond simply distributing SIM cards, it is a bold step toward closing the digital divide for millions of our countrymen," said Aguda. The initiative is anchored on Republic Act 10929, or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act, and aims to promote digital inclusion by enabling learning, livelihood, and access to essential government services in far-flung communities. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
