NEWS RELEASE:𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺-𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆

Undersecretary Garma, speaking mostly in the vernacular, highlighted that Butuan City is a fitting venue for the conference, given its strong commitment to the welfare of learners and its capable hosting of the national event. “Mas nagiging totoo at makabuluhan pag ginagawa ito sa isang lungsod na may malinaw na paninindaigan para sa kapakanan ng ating learners,” he said, commending the city and DepEd Caraga for their efforts.

Usec Garma emphasized that education planning is not merely about data, targets, and technical terms, but about unified action for the entire DepEd system. “For the first time, hindi na tayo gumagawa ng hiwa-hiwalay na reforms, hindi na kanya-kanyang pilot at priority. Sa halip, kumukilos na tayo bilang isang systema,” he stated.

The findings of the second Education Commission (EDCOM 2) provide a clear roadmap for future education planning, setting directions to address long-standing challenges in the system.

The keynote speech outlined seven priority areas for DepEd moving forward:

1. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 – Calls for stronger partnerships with local government units and emphasizes the importance of nutrition in early education.

2. 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 – Focuses on reading comprehension, critical thinking, and numeracy: “Hindi lang marunong bumasa, kundi marunong ding umintindi sa binabasa; hindi lang marunong magbilang, kundi marunong ding mag-isip ng kritikal.”

3. 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – “Linawin ang direksyon ng Senior High School.” Garma says DepEd is pursuing close coordination with CHED to provide clear pathways for Technical-Vocational, Tech-Pro, and college preparation programs.

4. 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 – Implementing the Expanded Career Progression program plays a great role in teacher development. "Basawan ang mga pasanin, dagdagan ang suporta para sa mga guro. At ibalik sa sa mga guro ang oras sa pagturo.”

5. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 – Aligning education with employment, livelihood, and higher learning opportunities.

6. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – Ensuring that allocated funds directly benefit classrooms, as learning outcomes occur within them. “Ayosin ang pamamahala ng paggamit ng pundo. Kahit gaano kaganda ang ating plano, kung hindi umaabot sa classroom, sayang ang pundo. Ang learning outcome ay nagyayari sa loob ng classroom.”

𝟳. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 – Strengthening localized, equitable, and inclusive education for all learners.

Undersecretary Garma stressed that the conference serves not just for presentations and speeches, but as a platform to align perspectives and ensure that plans translate into tangible classroom improvements. He encouraged participants to reflect: “Itanong natin: para ba talaga ito sa bayang Pilipino? Umaabot bai to sa ating mga guro, ramdam ba ito sa ating mga paaralan at mga kumunidad?”

The National Planning Conference 2026 continues over the next two days, bringing together education leaders, planning officers, development partners, and stakeholders to refine strategies and ensure that national education plans result in meaningful improvements for learners across the Philippines.

By: Public Affairs Unit

DepEd Caraga

For more information, contact (085) 221-1151, 0961-737-0873, or 0915-808-4734. Website: www.caraga.deped.gov.ph; email: caraga@deped.gov.ph; pau_caraga@deped.gov.ph.

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