Latest news with #JuanEdgardo'Sonny'Angara
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DepEd warns public vs fake AI-generated class suspension video
The Department of Education (DepEd) has warned the public against a circulating artificial intelligence (AI)-generated video falsely announcing the suspension of classes on Monday, July 28. In a Facebook post, the agency labeled the content as 'fake news' and stressed that no such suspension has been declared. 'Fake news ang ipinakakalat na AI video ng isang FB page tungkol sa umano'y suspensyon ng klase bukas, Hulyo 28,' the DepEd said. (The AI video being circulated by a Facebook page about a supposed class suspension on July 28 is fake news.) It urged the public to exercise caution and verify information before sharing or believing online content, especially materials that appear to use emerging technologies like AI to appear legitimate. The department emphasized that all official announcements regarding class suspensions, education policies, and other matters will be posted only on DepEd Philippines' official social media accounts and website. Meanwhile, the agency did not specify which Facebook page created the AI video but reiterated the importance of relying only on verified sources, particularly during weather disturbances or emergency situations when misinformation spreads rapidly. Earlier this month, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara appealed to local governments not to hastily suspend classes during light rains, warning that frequent cancellations have a negative effect on learning among Filipino students. 'Nakikiusap din kami sa publiko, mga magulang, mga estudyante. Huwag natin masyadong i-pressure ang ating local government, chief executives na konting ulan mag-suspend na tayo dahil pag sinumatotal natin ang nawawalang araw, malaki ang dagok o tama sa ating mga estudyante, yung tinatawag na learning loss,' Angara said. (We appeal to the public, to parents, to students. Let's avoid pressuring our local government officials to suspend classes every time it rains lightly, because when we total all the days we missed, the impact on our students is huge—this what we call learning loss.) He said the education department is now requiring schools to hold make-up classes to ensure students can still complete the required learning hours. — Sherilyn Untalan/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
Angara urges public: Don't pressure LGUs to suspend classes
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara on Monday appealed to local governments and parents not to hastily suspend classes during light rains, warning that frequent cancellations have a negative effect on learning among Filipino students. 'Nakikiusap din kami sa publiko, mga magulang, mga estudyante. Huwag natin masyadong i-pressure ang ating local government, chief executives na konting ulan mag-suspend na tayo dahil pag sinumatotal natin ang nawawalang araw, malaki ang dagok o tama sa ating mga estudyante, yung tinatawag na learning loss,' Angara said in an ambush interview on Monday. (We appeal to the public, to parents, to students. Let's avoid pressuring our local government officials to suspend classes every time it rains lightly, because when we total all the days we missed, the impact on our students is huge—this what we call learning loss.) He said the Department of Education (DepEd) is now requiring schools to hold make-up classes to ensure students can still complete the required learning hours. 'Yung ini-emphasize namin that there must be make-up classes kasi matindi na yung learning loss talaga. Apektado ang bata pag masyadong maraming cancellation," he said. (We're emphasizing that there must be make-up classes because the learning loss is already severe. Students are really affected when there are too many cancellations.) These make-up sessions, however, do not have to fall on weekends. 'Saturday or after school kung kailan. Depende rin sa availability ng guro," he added. (It could be on Saturdays or after school hours—depending on the availability of teachers.) Catching up Angara's statement comes as the country continues to face worsening academic performance among learners, particularly in reading and math. He said DepEd is ramping up its interventions through the ARAL Program, which provides personalized tutorial and remediation sessions. 'Well it's still quite significant especially sa literacy at math. So we're addressing it this year with the Aral program. Nakita natin na very effective yung pagbibigay ng personalized tutorials," Angara noted. (The proficiency gap is still quite significant, especially in literacy and math. So we're addressing that this year through the Aral program. We've seen that giving personalized tutorials is very effective.) He also credited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his strong support of education reforms, including an expanded feeding program, hiring of more teachers, additional classrooms, and hiring of non-teaching staff to reduce the burden on educators. The National Launch of the Expanded School-Based Feeding Program held in Antipolo City, which officially kicked off the rollout of the improved initiative targeting thousands of kindergarten pupils across the country. DepEd said the school-based feeding program has been expanded to cover 120 days and now applies to all kindergarten students nationwide—marking the first time the program has gone fully universal at that level. 'Nasa 120 days na tayo. At the first time universal feeding, ibig sabihin lahat ng bata sa kindergarten ay kasama sa feeding program this year. Dahil yun talaga ang instruction sa amin ni Secretary Ted Herbosa ni Pangulong Marcos na palawigin, palawakin, palalimin itong school feeding program natin,' Angara said. (We're now at 120 days. And for the first time, it's universal feeding—meaning all kindergarten children are included in the program this year. That's really the instruction given to us by Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and President Marcos: to expand and solidify the school feeding program.) 'Parang dati parang nasa 30-60 days lang. So ngayon umabot tayo ng 120 days," he added. (Before, it used to be only around 30 to 60 days. Now we've reached 120 days.) — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-07-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
DepEd expands feeding program to all kindergarten learners
All public kindergarten students across the Philippines will now receive daily nutritious meals under the Department of Education's (DepEd) expanded School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP). The program was formally launched Monday at Juan Sumulong Elementary School in Antipolo City, where education officials outlined the expansion as part of a broader national strategy focused on health, learning, and child development. With a budget of ?11.77 billion for 2025 and a proposed ?14 billion for 2026, the expanded SBFP aims to provide daily hot meals and fortified food products to approximately 3.4 million learners—including all kindergarten pupils and undernourished children in Grades 1 to 6. 'To be implemented over 120 school days, this year's feeding program is no longer limited to severely wasted or underweight students,' DepEd said in a statement. 'Instead, it now covers all kindergarten learners to support cognitive development and classroom readiness from an early age.' DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara emphasized the role of nutrition in education outcomes during the launch. 'Kapag may sapat na nutrisyon ang mga bata, mas madali silang matuto. Hindi natin kailangan hintayin pang magutom o magkasakit sila bago kumilos,' he said. (When children have adequate nutrition, they learn more easily. We don't need to wait for them to go hungry or get sick before we act.) 'Support' According to DepEd, last year's program led to a notable decrease in the number of severely wasted kindergarten learners, which dropped from 113,451 to 47,281. Educators have also reported improvements in student alertness, participation, and overall health. In regions such as Cagayan Valley (Region II) and Davao (Region XI), local data showed that cases of severely undernourished kindergarten children fell by up to 80 percent following implementation of the feeding program. The agency also cited growing infrastructure supporting the initiative, with 74 central kitchens now operational and over 44,000 public schools participating in the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program—school gardens that help provide fresh vegetables while also promoting nutrition education. The program is being carried out in coordination with local government units, the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and civil society partners. Officials stressed that success depends not only on food provision but also on sustained support for children's health, instruction, and home environments. 'Sama-samang gawain ito. Gobyerno ang nangunguna, pero kailangan ang suporta ng buong komunidad,' Angara added. (This is a shared effort. The government is leading, but support from the whole community is essential.) Future plans for the SBFP include improving health monitoring, refining meal quality, and expanding coverage to additional grade levels, particularly Grades 1 to 3, where nutritional gaps continue to affect learning outcomes. DepEd is also exploring increased partnerships with local farmers through homegrown school feeding models. The initiative is part of the administration's broader goals to invest in human capital development by addressing malnutrition early in life—an approach aligned with long-term efforts to improve learning outcomes and reduce inequality. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
03-07-2025
- General
- GMA Network
DepEd expands school garden, farm school programs to support nutrition, agri-education
The Department of Education (DepEd) has expanded its Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) to cover 44,965 schools nationwide this school year — a 50.6% increase from 2022–2023. The GPP plays a pivotal role in supporting DepEd's year-round School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) by supplying nutritious, locally grown produce while enriching nutrition education among learners — a model that has gained traction especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Funded through local school resources and the SBFP, the GPP empowers schools to grow fresh, organic vegetables that supplement student meals. These gardens also serve as outdoor classrooms where students learn about agriculture, sustainability, and food security—particularly vital in rural and last-mile communities. 'Kapag natuto ang mga bata kung saan nanggagaling ang pagkain nila at paano ito pinapalaki, mas naeengganyo silang kumain nang masustansya,' said Education Secretary Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara in a statement Thursday. (When children understand where their food comes from and how it's grown, they are more encouraged to eat healthy.) 'Hindi lang ito tungkol sa gulay. Disiplina, pagtutulungan, at malasakit sa kalikasan at kapwa ang tinuturo natin dito,' he added. (This isn't just about vegetables. We're teaching discipline, cooperation, and caring for the environment as well as others.) As of 2025, 94% of public schools are implementing garden-based learning interventions. DepEd has also significantly increased GPP funding, from ?10 million in 2021 to ?20 million in 2024, with a projected ?21.8 million budget for 2025 — reflecting the Department's sustained commitment to nutrition and holistic learning. Complementing the Gulayan sa Paaralan is DepEd's continued expansion of Farm Schools, an initiative originally championed by the late Senator Edgardo J. Angara and institutionalized through Republic Act No. 10618, or the Rural Farm Schools Act. There are currently 152 farm schools operating across four regions, providing hands-on training in agriculture, agribusiness, and entrepreneurial skills — particularly for learners in rural areas. 'Kailangan nating palakasin ang suporta sa mga farm school dahil mahalagang bahagi ito ng food security at pag-unlad ng kabuhayan sa kanayunan,' Secretary Angara emphasized. (We need to strengthen support for farm schools because they are vital to food security and rural economic development.) Angara reiterated the need for increased investment in farm schools to equip students with practical skills aligned with national goals on agriculture, sustainability, and inclusive growth. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Learning crisis worsened by pandemic, says Angara
Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara has affirmed that the country remains embroiled in a worsening learning crisis, one intensified by the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking during his visit at Esteban Abada Elementary School in Quezon City where the CLASS+ program was launched, Angara explained that many children are still unable to read after extended periods of homeschooling without teacher guidance. '100% nag-worsen,' he said, explaining that many children are still unable to read after extended periods of homeschooling without teacher guidance. 'Binigyan lang ng papeles…hindi nga sila marunong magbasa,' he added, clearly illustrating how paper-based home modules proved ineffective without foundational literacy. (They were given papers, yet they don't know how to read.) Angara pointed out that the crisis lies in the fact that 'students are not learning at the right level.' Referring to UNICEF's observations, he said, 'Yan ang nirefer nung UNICEF kaya tinawag nilang crisis kasi nakita nila ang mga bata, behind sila sa grade level nila.' (That was what UNICEF referred to ... that's why they called it a crisis. They saw the students are behind their actual grade level.) To address this, Angara said DepEd has implemented summer programs and is putting renewed focus on basic skills. 'Sinabi ng Presidente, mag-focus tayo sa basics.' (The President said we should focus on the basics.) In the first few days of school opening, Angara reported common problems encountered during visits to schools: 'May naririnig tayo mga ibang kulangan ng classroom, may incident ang bullying, yung iba binabaha.' (We've heard of lack of classrooms, incidents of bullying, flooding.) When asked how many classrooms have been constructed this year under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Angara replied, 'Wala pa po. Yung PPP nasa Department of Development pa.' — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
