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DepEd eyes higher budget to hire more school counselor associates
PH🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/8/2026

DepEd eyes higher budget to hire more school counselor associates

The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines is planning to seek additional funding to hire more school counselor associates to improve student mental well-being. At a recent forum, DepEd Undersecretary Malcolm Garma stated that the agency has started hiring nearly 10,000 school counselor associates, with priority given to schools identified as hotspots for violence. He emphasized that while these associates are not fully qualified guidance counselors, they will undergo psychological or behavioral science training. Garma noted that the current number of registered guidance counselors, only 5,000 nationwide, with just 1,000 under DepEd, is insufficient for the country's 45,000 schools. The push for more counselors follows high-profile school shootings in Tacloban and Zamboanga, which highlighted concerns over youth mental health.

Solon, Philippines, A member of the House committee on appropriations, Palawan Representative Jose Alvarez, stated on Wednesday that there are no confidential funds included in the proposed 2027 budget for the Office of the Vice President. Alvarez responded to a question regarding potential hidden financial allocations within the OVP's budget during a parliamentary session. The discussion also touched upon education-related matters, particularly the status of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program. During a hearing on DepEd’s 2027 budget proposal, Bulacan Representative Salvador Pleyto questioned Education Secretary Sonny Angara about the allocation for the ARAL Program under the National Expenditures Program (NEP) for 2027. Angara confirmed that there would be no funding for the ARAL Program in the upcoming fiscal year, contrasting it with the approximately P9 billion allocated for the program in 2026. Angara explained that while they had proposed nearly P16 billion for the ARAL Program to maintain the progress made in the previous year, the 2027 budget does not include this amount. He cited positive outcomes from the program, noting that out of the 6.7 million students who participated, 4.5 million showed improvement in reading skills, and 2.5 million advanced to higher grade levels. Teachers and school administrators also reported the effectiveness of the program. Pleyto emphasized the importance of allocating sufficient funds for the ARAL Program, stating that it is crucial for helping students recover academically and regain confidence. He urged the House to restore the necessary budget for the initiative, highlighting its role in enabling students to catch up and perform better. Separately, reports indicate that the proposed 2027 budget provides funding for only 50,000 laptops, prompting DepEd to seek an additional P10 billion to meet the demand for educational technology resources. Meanwhile, DepEd conducted nationwide school safety drills, including at Mandaluyong Science High School, in response to recent incidents of school violence.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

10 reports

Philippine Daily Inquirer logoPhilippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 909/7/2026
Zero funding for DepEd’s Aral Program under 2027 NEP

Education Secretary Sonny Angara informed the House of Representatives that there will be no funding allocated for the Department of Education's (DepEd) ARAL Program under the 2027 National Expenditures Program (NEP). During a budget hearing, Bulacan Representative Salvador Pleyto questioned Angara about the program, emphasizing its importance for student learning. Angara confirmed that while the program had received approximately P9 billion in 2026, there would be no allocation for 2027. He noted that the program had achieved significant improvements, reducing the number of struggling readers by 4.5 million and increasing reading levels among 2.5 million students.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives: the concern expressed by Representative Pleyto regarding the lack of funding and the justification provided by Education Secretary Angara about past successes. The tone remains neutral, avoiding overtly positive or negative language toward either side. The phr

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports that the ARAL Program has no funding in the 2027 NEP and includes direct quotes from Angara and Rep. Pleyto. It provides precise context about the program and its purpose, aligning closely with the primary source document and other articles.

Why objectivity (90): The article remains highly objective, presenting both the lack of funding and the call for increased support without taking a clear stance. It includes direct quotes from both officials and representatives, maintaining balance and neutrality.

Philippine Daily Inquirer logoPhilippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 859/8/2026
Marcos vows to sustain PH education push after PISA gains

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged to continue his administration's education reforms following the Philippines' improved performance in the PISA 2025 assessments. The results show increases in science, math, and reading scores compared to 2022, with the country outperforming several nations in each category. Marcos attributed the progress to collaborative efforts between educators, families, and communities, emphasizing the need to maintain and expand current initiatives such as classroom construction, technology access, and educational resources. He noted the Philippines is among the few education systems showing consistent improvement across all domains and highlighted the importance of sustained investment in student welfare.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the president's commitment to education reform without overtly praising or criticizing the policies. It reports on the PISA results and Marcos' response neutrally, focusing on the data and his stated intentions rather than taking a partisan stance. While the subject is politic,

Why factuality (95): The article provides detailed PISA 2025 results, including score improvements and rankings, which are consistent with other sources. It cites the OECD and DepEd, and the numbers match those reported elsewhere. The article also mentions the president's response, which is a public statement.

Why objectivity (85): While the article reports the president's comments, it does so in a neutral manner, presenting his statements without overt political bias. However, the emphasis on the 'strongest performance' might slightly lean towards positive framing.

Philippine Daily Inquirer logoPhilippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 859/2/2026
Sports, art programs pushed to unlock students’ pent-up energy

Undersecretary Malcolm Garma of the Department of Education suggested enhancing sports, music, and arts programs to address students' 'unspent energy,' citing concerns over social media and gaming influences. This recommendation came after two fatal school shootings in the Philippines. Garma emphasized the need for outdoor activities like scouting and stronger physical education, while acknowledging the potential of social media as an educational tool. He also mentioned partnerships with the Philippine Sports Commission and the National Youth Commission to promote extracurricular engagement. Meanwhile, calls for stricter regulations on social media and gaming platforms gained traction, including proposals for a regulatory body and a bill to set a minimum age for social media use.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced discussion on both the need for increased physical activity and the role of technology in education. While it highlights concerns about social media influence, it also acknowledges its potential benefits. The framing does not clearly favor either side but rather aims

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports Undersecretary Malcolm Garma's statements regarding the need to strengthen sports, music, and arts programs to address students' 'unspent energy.' It provides direct quotes from Garma and mentions his recommendations for outdoor activities and partnerships with relevan

Why objectivity (85): The article presents Garma's views neutrally but uses emotionally charged language like 'unspent energy' and 'resort to other forms to release the energy,' which may imply judgment about student behavior. While it does not overtly take sides, the framing suggests a concern about modern distractions

Rappler logoRapplerIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 809/8/2026
Philippines’ reading, math, science scores improve in 2025 PISA

The Philippines showed improvements in reading, mathematics, and science scores according to the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The country climbed out of the bottom 10 rankings, ranking 72nd in reading, 74th in mathematics, and 77th in science out of 90-91 participating countries. Average scores increased significantly compared to previous assessments, with science showing the largest gain. The Department of Education called this the country’s strongest PISA performance yet, emphasizing that it should be viewed as a starting point rather than a final achievement. Officials stressed the importance of maintaining this progress through continued reforms and national commitment.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the PISA results objectively, highlighting both the improvements and the remaining challenges without overtly favoring any political ideology. It quotes officials and emphasizes the need for sustained effort, which suggests a balanced approach rather than a clear ideological sl抗

Why factuality (90): The article accurately reports the PISA 2025 results, including the rankings and score improvements, matching other sources. It quotes DepEd's statement that the performance should be seen as a starting point, which is consistent with other articles.

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone, reporting the facts and DepEd's perspective without injecting strong emotional language or taking sides.

Philippine Daily Inquirer logoPhilippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 909/2/2026
DepEd eyes higher budget to hire more school counselor associates

The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines is planning to seek additional funding to hire more school counselor associates to improve student mental well-being. At a recent forum, DepEd Undersecretary Malcolm Garma stated that the agency has started hiring nearly 10,000 school counselor associates, with priority given to schools identified as hotspots for violence. He emphasized that while these associates are not fully qualified guidance counselors, they will undergo psychological or behavioral science training. Garma noted that the current number of registered guidance counselors, only 5,000 nationwide, with just 1,000 under DepEd, is insufficient for the country's 45,000 schools. The push for more counselors follows high-profile school shootings in Tacloban and Zamboanga, which highlighted concerns over youth mental health.

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about DepEd's plans for hiring school counselor associates without overtly endorsing or criticizing the policy. It includes quotes from officials and provides background on the issue, including the context of recent school shootings. While the topic is politically-ch

Why factuality (85): The article reports on DepEd's plan to request additional funding for hiring more school counselor associates, citing statements from Undersecretary Malcolm Garma at a forum. It references specific numbers (10,000 counselors, 45,000 schools) and mentions the planned meeting with the House of Represe

Why objectivity (90): The article presents the information in a neutral tone, quoting officials directly and providing context without apparent bias. It avoids emotionally charged language and focuses on factual reporting of DepEd's plans and challenges, maintaining an objective stance.

GMA News Online logoGMA News OnlineIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 859/8/2026
PH posts highest PISA scores yet in reading, math, science — DepEd

The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines reported that Filipino students achieved their highest scores ever in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests for reading, mathematics, and science. The results reflect improvements over previous years and highlight progress in education quality. The announcement was made by GMA News Online, which cited the DepEd as the official source. While the achievement is celebrated as a milestone, the report does not provide detailed breakdowns of performance across regions or specific areas needing improvement.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about PISA scores without overtly praising or criticizing the government's educational policies. It focuses on the achievement itself rather than taking a partisan stance. However, the emphasis on 'highest scores yet' could imply a positive spin on recent政府教育

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (85): The article presents the PISA results neutrally, attributing them to DepEd without expressing personal opinions or emotional reactions.

GMA News Online logoGMA News OnlineIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 809/7/2026
DepEd eyes start of construction of 34,000 classrooms in 2026 — Angara

The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines is planning to begin constructing 34,000 new classrooms starting in 2026, according to Senator Francisco 'Kiko' Pimentel, known as Angara. The initiative aims to address the growing demand for educational infrastructure and improve access to quality education across the country. While the plan highlights increased funding and commitment to education, specific details regarding funding sources, timelines, and implementation strategies remain unclear. The proposal has sparked discussions among educators and policymakers about its potential impact on student enrollment and overall educational outcomes.

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a government initiative without overtly endorsing or criticizing the policy. It reports on the DepEd's plans and mentions a senator's involvement, but does not frame the issue in a clearly left or right-leaning manner. The tone remains neutral, focusing on the

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (80): The article presents the information objectively, focusing on the announcement without adding subjective commentary or emotional language.

GMA News Online logoGMA News OnlineIndependentProgressiveFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 809/7/2026
DepEd seeks P10B more for laptops as proposed 2027 budget funds only 50,000

The Department of Education (DepEd) has requested an additional P10 billion to purchase more laptops for students, as the proposed 2027 budget allocation would only cover 50,000 devices. This highlights a significant gap between the current funding levels and the needs of the education sector, particularly in terms of providing digital learning tools to students. The request underscores concerns about inadequate resources for technology-driven education initiatives. The article notes that the budget proposal does not fully address the demand for educational technology, raising questions about the government’s commitment to modernizing classrooms.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the DepEd's request as a necessary step to address resource shortages, implying that the current budget allocation is insufficient. It emphasizes the need for increased funding without directly criticizing the government's fiscal priorities, which aligns with a progressive stance.

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (80): The article frames the situation as a gap between needs and current funding, which may imply criticism of the budget, but it does so without overtly biased language.

Philippine Daily Inquirer logoPhilippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 789/3/2026
LOOK: DepEd conducts school safety drills

Students at Mandaluyong Science High School participated in a school safety drill organized by the Department of Education (DepEd) in response to recent incidents of school violence nationwide. The drill was part of DepEd's national initiative to simulate active threat scenarios and enhance student preparedness. The event highlights ongoing concerns about safety in schools and the government's efforts to address these issues through proactive measures. While the article mentions the frequency of violent incidents, it does not provide specific details about the nature or severity of the attacks.

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a government-led initiative aimed at improving school safety. It reports on the action taken by the Department of Education without overtly criticizing or praising the measure. There is no clear ideological framing or emphasis on particular political viewpoints

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (78): The tone is generally neutral, focusing on the event itself. However, the article uses emotionally charged language such as 'back-to-back cases of school violence' which may imply urgency or concern, potentially influencing reader perception. There is no clear indication of bias toward any particula

GMA News Online logoGMA News OnlineIndependentProgressiveFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 709/7/2026
Angara: DepEd budget lacking if PH means to catch up with rest of Southeast Asia

Senator Leila M. de Lima, through her spokesperson Senator Risa Hontiveros, has criticized the Department of Education's (DepEd) proposed budget, stating that it is insufficient for the Philippines to catch up with other Southeast Asian countries in terms of education standards. The argument centers around the need for increased funding to improve infrastructure, teacher salaries, and educational programs. This comes amid ongoing discussions about the country's educational challenges and the role of government spending in addressing them.

Bias read (Progressive): The article highlights criticism of the government's budget allocation for education, suggesting underfunding and advocating for increased investment. This framing emphasizes systemic issues within the government and calls for more progressive policies, aligning with a left-leaning perspective.

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (70): The article presents Angara's opinion without significant bias, though it uses phrasing like 'if PH means to catch up,' which implies a conditional rather than definitive stance. It remains relatively neutral in tone.

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