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BUTUAN CITY, September 13, 2025 — 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱) 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗿. 𝗥𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱 𝗨. 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘇𝗮 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁’𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗟) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹, 𝗕𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆.

In his keynote message, Usec. Mendoza described the ARAL Program as a testament to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s strong support for education, especially as the sector continues to address the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“ARAL is the administration’s decisive response to ensure that no learner is left behind,” Usec. Mendoza said. He noted that the program complements earlier initiatives such as the Bawat Bata Makababasa Program (BBMP) and the Literacy Remediation Program (LRP), which were rolled out last summer and produced encouraging results.

Despite these gains, Usec. Mendoza stressed the urgent need to strengthen remediation programs, particularly for transitioning learners. Citing recent studies, he revealed that 2.3 million learners, or 52.26 percent, are not yet grade-level ready, which prompted the inception and eventual implementation of the ARAL Program, so that every learner is given the opportunity to catch up and thrive.

Quoting a teacher, Usec. Mendoza said, “There is no greater joy than seeing my learners thrive.” He added: “Ayaw po nating may maiiwan. At iyon din ang hangarin ng ARAL Program: maging susi para ang ating mga mag-aaral ay makabangon muli.”

As a concrete step, Usec. Mendoza explained the rationale of the “Edukahon,” a standardized, ready-to-deploy school recovery kit that will be distributed immediately during calamities. Edukahon packages include laptops, tablets, and essential learning tools to ensure continuity of education.

Usec. Mendoza also expressed gratitude to key education leaders and partners for their contributions to the success of the initiative. He acknowledged President Marcos for his strong support, DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara for his dedication to education reforms, and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Congressman Roman Romulo for championing legislation that advances the sector.

He likewise thanked Regional Director Maria Ines C. Asuncion, Assistant Regional Director Pedro T. Escobarte Jr., and local education officials in Caraga for their leadership and steadfast commitment to learners.

Addressing teachers and education leaders, Usec. Mendoza appealed:

“Gawing makabuluhan ang pagpapatupad ng ARAL Program para sa kinabukasan ng ating kabataan. Kailangan namin kayo. Hindi magiging matagumpay ang ARAL nang wala kayo, ang tunay na frontliners ng edukasyon. Sama-sama tayong magbigay ng bagong pagkakataon sa ating mga mag-aaral. In the words of Secretary Sonny, let us make learning fun again.”

The launch of the ARAL Program in Caraga highlights DepEd’s resolve to not only help learners recover from learning losses but also to create an environment where they can flourish and realize their full potential.

For more updates on the Regional Schools Press Conference 2025, contact (085) 221-1151; 0961-737-08-73; 0977-739-44-53. Website: www.caraga.deped.gov.ph; email: caraga@deped.gov.ph; pau_caraga@deped.gov.ph.

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