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CAN EDUCATION MESS BE FIXED? n
One of the most powerful tools for human progress, education has been in crisis mode in the Philippines for years. The Second EDCOM Report has just been completed, laying down a blueprint for addressing a myriad of problems.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., joined by Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, interacts with Grade 1 learners during his visit to Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School in Malate, Manila, June 16, 2025, marking the opening of School Year 2025-2026, as the administration advances sweeping education reforms anchored on EDCOM II’s Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reform and the National Education and Workforce Development Plan 2026-2035. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEPED
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By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
DUCATION is a fundamental human right, a key driver, a powerful tool for a better future. But there are major challenges facing education—shortage of teachers, crowded classrooms and insufficient government funding, among others. Thus, education reform is critically needed to ensure highquality, inclusive education for all, preparing future generations for a rapidly changing world. Recently, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II ) submitted to the Senate—and subsequently to the President—its Final Report, Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reform, alongside the National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NatPlan) 2026–2035. EDCOM II is the Congressional body tasked to “undertake a comprehensive national assessment and evaluation of the performance of the Philippine education sector for the purpose of recommending transformative, concrete and targeted reforms in the sector with the end in view of making the Philippines globally competitive in both education and labor markets.” The strategic roadmap of EDCOM II outlines 20 priority recommendations designed to reverse the country’s learning crisis, backed by concrete performance targets and a projected incremental investment of P2.66 trillion over the next decade. The Final Report was also submitted to President Ferdi-
nand Marcos Jr. in a ceremony in Malacañang on January 29. “Today, I formally accept the EDCOM II Final Report and the National Education and Workforce Development Plan—with a great sense of urgency and responsibility. These documents reveal where we have fallen short and what we must do to improve our educational system,” Marcos said after receiving the Final Report and the National Education and Workforce Development Plan from the Second Congressional Commission on Education. He also accepted the National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NatPlan), a 10-year proposed framework for legislation and executive actions spanning three presidential terms, ensuring that education reforms are insulated from political transitions. “From the start of this administration, we have worked consistently with the EDCOM II—listening, coordinating [and] aligning our reforms with their recommendations.... We revised our basic educational curriculum, making it learner-centered, skill-focused, and decongested.... We filled teaching and non-teaching positions and pursued the expanded career pro-
gression system. We also energized more schools and provided computers and internet connectivity,” he added, noting that the ceremonial submission of the Final Report and turnover of the NatPlan 20262035 marks the conclusion of EDCOM 2’s initial term consistent with Republic Act 11899. Marcos expressed gratitude to EDCOM II for their time and expertise in undertaking the Final Report and NatPlan 2026-2035. Continued on A2
THE Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) formally hands over its final report, Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reform, to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang, January 29, 2026, launching the National Education and Workforce Development Plan 2026-2035. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 58.8880 n JAPAN 0.3847 n UK 81.3361 n HK 7.5449 n CHINA 8.4723 n SINGAPORE 46.5849 n AUSTRALIA 41.4925 n EU 70.5007 n KOREA 0.0412 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.7018 Source: BSP (January 30, 2026)