The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Thursday that it has ramped up assistance to field offices to speed up the national implementation of Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS). These resilient facilities are designed to ensure uninterrupted classes even during typhoons, infrastructure damage, and other significant disruptions.
Presidential Directive and Commitment
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to provide durable classrooms for students amid calamities. He stated that the Marcos administration prioritizes leaving no learner behind by rapidly constructing high-quality facilities across the country.
Climate-Safety Standards and Funding
The LCS program requires all facilities to meet standard climate-safety benchmarks to withstand harsh environmental conditions. It is backed by a PHP3.5 billion allocation from the Basic Education Facilities Fund, targeting schools with the most urgent structural needs or severe classroom shortages. Funds are directly downloaded to Schools Division Offices (SDOs), enabling local procurement and allowing each LCS to be built and fully operational within one to two weeks.
The construction approach emphasizes local materials and labor, boosting local economies and preventing logistical delays.
Technical Support and Procurement Progress
To facilitate the rollout, DepEd has conducted two comprehensive webinars for SDOs, alongside online monitoring and personalized guidance sessions to provide immediate technical assistance. An official digital communication group has been established to maintain links between the central office and local implementers, with frequent updates on frequently asked questions.
Significant procurement milestones have been achieved: SDOs in Capiz, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur have officially posted tenders for dozens of new LCS units. Meanwhile, 29 other SDOs nationwide are conducting pre-procurement conferences throughout April to finalize their project requirements.
