Latest news with #Angara
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DepEd: Classroom shortage still at 165,000
'We're now at around 165,000 [classroom shortage] and growing kasi hindi na kakayanin nung current budget to meet the ano eh… It would take us 30 years, probably, if we work with the current budget,' Angara told reporters. Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday said the classroom backlog nationwide still stands at 165,000—a problem expected to have once again an impact when the incoming school year starts. Three weeks before School Year 2025-2026 opens on June 16, Angara admitted that some public schools may again need to implement shifting of classes—some double, others triple, even—due to the lack of classrooms. 'We're now at around 165,000 [classroom shortage] and growing kasi hindi na kakayanin nung current budget to meet the ano eh… It would take us 30 years, probably, if we work with the current budget,' Angara told reporters. (We're now at around 165,000 classroom shortage and growing because the current budget will not be able to meet the need to construct these. It would take us 30 years, probably, if we work with the current budget.) 'Buong bansa kasi ang kakulangan eh especially in populated areas like Region 4-A and NCR, grabe 'yung… All the cities actually all over the country, mataas ang backlog,' he added. (The classroom shortage is all over the country, especially in populated areas like Region 4-A and NCR, it's serious... The classroom backlog in all the cities in the country is high. There are hundreds of thousands per city.) School Year 2025-2026 is set to open on June 16, 2025 and end on March 31, 2026. Angara underscored the need to provide a strong internet connection in key areas so that 'independent learners,' particularly incoming senior high school students, may be able to study at home, just like in other countries. Under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), P28 billion was appropriated in DepEd's budget for the basic education facilities, which includes P7.18 billion for the construction of new kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school buildings. It also includes a P6.13 billion budget for the rehabilitation, renovation, repair, and improvement of the school buildings under the 'Repair All Policy." 'Para 'yung mga kailangan talagang nasa loob ng classroom, kailangan kausap talaga ang mga teachers, 'yun 'yung mga Nursery, Grade 1, Kindergarten dahil 'yun palang ang natututo at kailangan matuto magbasa, kailangan matuto magsalita. 'Yan talaga kailangan nasa loob ng classroom,' he explained. (This is so learners who really need to be in classrooms and learn directly from teachers—those in Nursery, Kindergarten, and Grade 1—will be able to occupy the classrooms instead.) Angara on Monday afternoon attended the launch of Generation Hope—a partnership of several brands with DepEd to help address the urgent need of building more public school classrooms in the country. The DepEd chief emphasized that such a partnership would help hasten the classroom construction and also help DepEd in meeting its deficits, considering the incoming school year. 'Malaking bagay 'to kasi nga diba nabawasan kami ng budget nitong 2025 so ito, makakatulong do'n sa kakulangan natin sa classrooms. 'Yung ibang programa ng DepEd, mabigyan ng focus tapos may katulong tayo dito,' he said. (This is a big help because our budget for 2025 was cut, so this will help address our lack of classrooms. The DepEd can focus on its other programs, and we will be assisted in classroom construction.) –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
25-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
No injuries, major damages in Palaro from La Union quake, Angara says
Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara said no injuries or major damages were reported following an earthquake on Saturday morning in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, which currently serves as host for the 65th Palarong Pambansa. In a report on GMA News Online, Angara said the development after a magnitude 5.2 tremor jolted La Union at around 10:40 a.m. The earthquake was also felt in nearby cities, including Laoag City, where the Palarong Pambansa opening ceremony will be held later tonight. "Ok naman kami no major damage or injuries reported," Angara said in a short message. In a separate statement, DepEd said the Incident Command Post (ICP) has already mobilized both the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Regional Safety Officers to inspect playing venues as well as the places where delegates are staying. The agency also said the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium (FEMMS), where the opening rites and several sport events like football, tennis, athletics, and swimming will be staged, will also be inspected. "The Incident Command Post (ICP) has mobilized the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Regional Safety Officers to immediately inspect all billeting and playing venues, including the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium (FEMMS), to ensure the continued safety of all delegates," DepEd said. "As of this report, no injuries or major structural damages have been recorded. All delegates are safe. There is no cause for alarm or panic." DepEd added that the Regional Incident Management Team (RIMT) already has earthquake response protocols. "Safety remains our top priority. We will provide updates as necessary," it added. The Palarong Pambansa will open on May 24 with the regular sports running from May 26 to 30. (with reports from Bea Micaller, GMA Integrated News)
GMA Network
24-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
No injuries or major damages in Palaro from La Union quake, says Angara
LAOAG — Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara said no injuries or major damages were reported following an earthquake on Saturday morning in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, which currently serves as host for the 65th Palarong Pambansa. Angara told GMA News Online the development after a magnitude 5.2 tremor jolted La Union at around 10:40 a.m. The earthquake was also felt in nearby cities, including Laoag City, where the Palarong Pambansa opening ceremony will be held later tonight. "Ok naman kami no major damage or injuries reported," Angara said in a short message. In a separate statement, DepEd said the Incident Command Post (ICP) has already mobilized both the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Regional Safety Officers to inspect playing venues as well as the places where delegates are staying. The agency also said the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium (FEMMS), where the opening rites and several sport events like football, tennis, athletics, and swimming will be staged, will also be inspected. "The Incident Command Post (ICP) has mobilized the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Regional Safety Officers to immediately inspect all billeting and playing venues, including the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium (FEMMS), to ensure the continued safety of all delegates," DepEd said. "As of this report, no injuries or major structural damages have been recorded. All delegates are safe. There is no cause for alarm or panic." DepEd added that the Regional Incident Management Team (RIMT) already has earthquake response protocols. "Safety remains our top priority. We will provide updates as necessary," it added. The Palarong Pambansa will open on May 24 with the regular sports running from May 26 to 30. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Angara continues work as DepEd chief as opening of classes nears
A day after submitting his courtesy resignation, Education Secretary Sonny Angara continues to fulfill the duties of the chief of the Department of Education as the opening of classes nears. 'Tuloy tuloy lang po ang pagtatrabaho ng ating kalihim, full blast ang ating preparations para sa nalalapit na pagbubukas ng bagong school year natin in less than a month,' Angara's media relations officer Dennis Legaspi said in a Viber message to reporters on Friday. (Our secretary's work continues, our preparations are in full blast for the upcoming opening of our new school year in less than a month.) According to Legaspi, Angara will join President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. in Laoag, Ilocos Norte on Saturday for the opening of the annual Palarong Pambansa. Asked if DepEd will continue with its programs despite the courtesy resignation ordered by the President, Legaspi answered in the affirmative. 'Yes po. Habang wala pa namang aksyon ang Malacañang sa courtesy resignation na ipinasa kahapon, tuloy tuloy po ang lahat ng programa ng DepEd,' he said. (While Malacañang has not yet taken action on the courtesy resignation that was submitted yesterday, all DepEd programs will continue.) On Thursday, Marcos called on his Cabinet members to submit their courtesy resignation, which Angara adhered to. The Education Department has set the opening of classes for public schools on June 16. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Angara wants swift hiring of 16K new teachers in time for school opening
The Department of Education (DepEd) said Tuesday that Secretary Sonny Angara has ordered all their regional and division offices to recruit 16,000 new teachers 'swiftly and efficiently' in preparation for the opening of School Year 2025-2026. According to DepEd, the initial 16,000 teaching positions created upon the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) would help decongest overcrowded classrooms and ease the workload of public school teachers across the country. It will also address the need for educators with appropriate specializations, particularly in kindergarten, elementary, and subject-specific areas in junior and senior high school. Angara said the timely deployment of the new teachers 'is crucial to ensuring a smooth and effective school opening.' School Year 2025-2026 is set to open on June 16, 2025 and end on March 31, 2026. The DBM said that the 16,000 new items would be the first tranche of the 20,000 positions targeted for creation this year. With this, DepEd said that its schools division offices were ordered to immediately begin the publication, hiring, and appointment process upon receipt of the Notices of Organization, Staffing and Compensation Action (NOSCA) from the DBM regional offices to ensure that all new positions are filled by the end of the third quarter. The agency said that the DBM has started the issuance of NOSCAs for 10,000 administrative officer II (AOII) items. 'Recruitment and assessment of applicants in the SDOs have been ongoing since January this year, and divisions with large applicant pools were even authorized to begin calls as early as October 2024,' the DepEd noted. The agency said that it will also continue monitoring the compliance and the pace of hiring across the regions to make sure that appointments will not get delayed. The Education Department advised teacher-applicants for School Year 2025-2026 to coordinate directly with their local schools division offices for guidelines and updates on the filling of the positions. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
