DepEd MANCOM tackles typhoon-hit schools, diploma mills, SHS reforms in Palawan

Regional officials from across the country convened in Palawan for the nationwide Management Committee Meeting to reinforce learning continuity, preserve system integrity, and strengthen school readiness — particularly in disaster-prone areas.

The meeting reviewed how recent typhoons disrupted classes nationwide and exposed long-standing vulnerabilities in public schools. In Palawan, division reports showed 781 classrooms damaged by Typhoon Tino, with repairs still underway. Modular and digital Alternative Delivery Modes (ADMs) remain in use in several communities where power and connectivity have yet to stabilize.

The Department of Education (DepEd) said the magnitude of school damage in island provinces underscores the need for resilient construction, reinforced ADM systems, and funding strategies that reflect recurring climate risks. The department emphasized that divisions facing frequent class suspensions require more predictable support to sustain learning.

Regional directors also detailed classroom damage and ongoing ADM implementation across Regions II, CAR, IV-A, V, the Negros Island Region (NIR), and VII, as the panel discussed synchronized nationwide strategies.

National reform updates were likewise presented during the meeting, including improvements to the Strengthened Senior High School (SSHS) Program. The rapid assessment of the first quarter yielded generally positive results, while field piloting and finalization of the SSHS Monitoring Tool are ongoing. With MIMAROPA’s labor market centered on agriculture, fisheries, and ecotourism, aligning course offerings with real market performance and regional industry roadmaps was also tackled.

A significant portion of the discussions focused on internal governance and tightening the credibility of teacher qualifications. DepEd announced that the new guidelines establishing a national registry of recognized teacher education programs have been finalized, allowing the department to verify credentials submitted for hiring and promotion, issue advisories to field offices, and coordinate with oversight agencies to prevent the acceptance of unaccredited programs. The measure aims to shut down “diploma mill” operations and safeguard promotion processes nationwide.

DepEd also confirmed that investigations into the supposed “items-for-sale” activities remain ongoing and are being conducted under established procedures. Preventive measures are already in place, with additional safeguards being introduced to protect appointment and promotion systems.

The agency stressed that the actions taken in MIMAROPA form part of a wider national effort to accelerate learning recovery, strengthen system transparency, and professionalize the education workforce.

Outputs from the MANCOM will feed into upcoming policy adjustments on resilient school infrastructure, early-grade literacy, SHS alignment, and expanded career progression pathways.