The Department of Education (DepEd) has formally launched the National Vision Screening Program (NVSP) for kindergarten learners nationwide, particularly those with vision impairments.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara, the principal author of Republic Act No. 11358, or the National Vision Screening Act, said the nationwide rollout fulfills the law’s goal of early intervention to prevent vision problems from becoming barriers to learning.

“Noong ipinasa natin ang Universal Health Care law (Republic Act No. 11223), malinaw ang layunin natin na dapat kapag sinabing PhilHealth, hindi lang ito para sa gamutan kapag may sakit na. Nandiyan ito para tumulong na hindi na magkasakit pa. Iyan ang preventive health care na gusto nating maramdaman ng bawat Pilipino,” Angara said during the national launch at Rosario Elementary School in Pasig City.

The NVSP institutionalizes regular vision screening as part of the School Health Program, focusing on the early detection of refractive errors, amblyopia, and other vision disorders that may affect reading, comprehension, classroom participation, and overall academic performance if left unaddressed.

During the launch, selected learners previously identified with vision impairments received prescription eyeglasses, highlighting the program’s emphasis on timely and concrete interventions.

PhilHealth supports the initiative through its Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) program, which integrates preventive services such as vision screening and early intervention into broader community-based health packages. This complements DepEd’s learner-centered initiatives, including Clinics for Learners’ Access to School-health Services (CLASS+), which aim to bring basic health services closer to learners.

DepEd also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists Inc. (IPAO) to formalize their partnership in expanding access to professional eye care services for learners nationwide.

The agreement strengthens referral pathways from schools to licensed optometrists and supports school- and community-based eye examinations, corrective interventions, and access to prescription eyeglasses, including those covered under PhilHealth’s Optometric Benefit Package.

Angara said preventive health measures in schools are critical to improving learning outcomes and reducing avoidable gaps that begin early in a child’s education.

Led by DepEd through the Bureau of Learner Support Services–School Health Division, the program is being implemented in close coordination with health and professional partners, including PhilHealth, IPAO, the University of the Philippines–Philippine Eye Research Institute, and local government units.

Angara said the program will be rolled out nationwide in coordination with DepEd regional and division offices, local governments, and partner institutions to ensure that vision screening becomes a routine and sustainable part of learner health services across the country.