Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara on Thursday underscored the urgent need for data digitalization and decentralization to address primary challenges in the Philippine education sector.

In his speech at the 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, Angara highlighted key responses as the DepEd face challenges including the decline in learning outcomes, centralized decision-making in a widely-bureaucratic education system, lack of accountability mechanisms, reluctance to innovation, and delayed delivery of learning tools.

“We are looking to enhance governance structures to ensure data-informed management. This involves decentralizing education services and empowering local offices to utilize data effectively to respond to specific educational challenges,” Angara said.

He said “over-centralization” sets a limitation in the sector’s innovation targets which result in “inefficiency” and lack of “informed decision.”

Angara disclosed plans to come up with data dashboards and systems to improve information-driven actions.

“This focus also aims to enhance transparency in basic education data, empowering stakeholders to make data-driven decisions, and to implement transformative reforms,” he said.

In terms of addressing delayed delivery of learning materials, Angara assured the conduct of early procurement, alongside proper fund utilization and timely program implementations.

Suspended USAID programs

The DepEd is also facing challenges in the continuity of the programs under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) following US President Donald Trump’s 90-day suspension order on foreign assistance.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Roger Masapol earlier assured to look into other possible sources of funds to mitigate the impact of the suspension.

“Hahanapan namin ng paraan halimbawa ay mga continuing funds kami, titignan namin kung kaya ituloy yung iba sa mga critical activities nung mga programa (We will look for ways, example, our continuing funds, we will look if it’s feasible to sustain other critical activities of the programs),” he said in a recent radio interview.

He said the five programs, worth USD94 million (roughly PHP4 billion) that will be affected include the ABC+ for Kinder to Grade 3 learners, Opportunity 2.0 for Alternative Learning System (ALS), Gabay Project for learners with disabilities, Improving Learning Outcomes (ILO-Ph), and Urban Connect.

Among the priority programs which need funding from the DepEd include ABC+ worth USD47.5 million; ILO-Ph, USD5 million; and Gabay Project, USD2.77 million.

“Ito pa po yung hahanapin namin ng pondo pero (These are the programs that we need to source funding for but) within the existing budget ng DepEd kasi may mga continuing funds pa po ang (because DepEd still has continuing funds),” Masapol said.

The three programs to be prioritized are in line with Angara’s 5-point agenda and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to address issues in basic education.

The 5-point agenda focuses on securing an enabling learning environment, uplifting the welfare of teachers, improving the well-being of learners, ensuring an efficient learning delivery, and a future-ready workforce. (PNA)