The Department of Education (DepEd) confirmed that everything was in place for the return of around 27 million learners to schools across the country on Monday, June 16.
“All systems go po ang lahat sa pagbubukas ng ating klase bukas,” said DepEd Media Relations chief Dennis Legaspi on Sunday.
To mark the opening of the school year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joined DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara in welcoming students at Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School in Manila. Angara also visited schools in Taguig, Biñan, and Santa Rosa, Laguna.
DepEd reverted to the June-to-March school calendar following the President’s directive, aiming to reduce class disruptions caused by typhoons and other weather disturbances.
The department also made key preparations to support learning. Over 33,000 laptops were delivered for teachers, along with more than 5,000 for non-teaching staff. Nearly 26,000 smart TVs with external drives were distributed to enhance classroom instruction. Meanwhile, procurement for textbooks was well underway, with materials for Grades 1, 4, and 7 almost complete.
Ensuring Safety with Oplan Balik-Eskwela
As schools reopened, the Philippine National Police (PNP) deployed more than 37,000 personnel nationwide under “Oplan Balik-Eskwela.” Over 10,000 officers were stationed at Police Assistance Desks near school premises to assist students, parents, and teachers. Mobile and foot patrols were assigned to secure school zones.
“We wanted to make sure that our children returned to school without fear or harm,” said PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, assuring the public of full coordination with DepEd, local governments, and partner agencies.
