SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday expressed full support for the Department of Education’s Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, describing it as a vital intervention to strengthen the foundational skills of Filipino students and address the country’s persistent learning crisis.
Romualdez, Representative of the 1st District of Leyte, said the initiative affirms President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of transforming the education sector under the Bagong Pilipinas agenda and achieving his goal of having at least one college or technical-vocational graduate in every Filipino family.
“Matagal na nating hangad na palakasin ang kakayahan ng ating mga mag-aaral sa pagbabasa, sipnayan, at agham—hindi lamang upang sila ay makahabol sa klase, kundi para mabigyan sila ng matibay na pundasyon sa mga susunod pang baitang. Sa pamamagitan ng ARAL Program, maaalalayan na natin ang ating mga anak hanggang sila ay maging kumpiyansa sa kanilang kaalaman,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He added: “Ang hakbang na ito na isinabatas ng Pangulong Marcos ay pagpapatunay ng kalinga at pag-aaruga ng pamahalaan para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga mag-aaral bilang mga susunod na pinuno na magtataguyod sa ating mahal na Pilipinas.”
Romualdez assured both learners and educators that the House of Representatives will provide the necessary support to sustain the program and other reforms aimed at enhancing Philippine education.
“Bilang mga mambabatas at kinatawan ng taongbayan, buo ang aming suporta sa hangarin ng Pangulo na tuluyang baguhin at paunlarin ang sistemang pang-edukasyon. Hindi kami titigil at patuloy kaming gagawa ng mga panukalang batas at maglalaan ng pondo upang matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga mag-aaral at guro,” he stressed.
The Speaker issued the statement after Education Secretary Sonny Angara launched the ARAL Program over the weekend pursuant to Republic Act 12028, signed by President Marcos in October last year.
Under the program, learners from Kindergarten to Grade 10 will receive tutorial support in reading, mathematics, and science to help them achieve the competencies required at their respective levels.
For School Year 2025–2026, ARAL will prioritize reading (ARAL-Reading) to assist learners classified as low, emerging, or frustrated readers. The reading program will roll out in the second quarter of the school year, with eventual expansion into ARAL-Mathematics (Grades 1–10), ARAL-Science (Grades 3–10), and summer programs.
So far, DepEd has identified 6,713,352 learner-beneficiaries, to be supported by 447,537 tutors and 45,084 school heads.
Tutors will include teachers, para-teachers, pre-service teachers, and other trained individuals, all of whom will receive proper training and fair compensation. Parents and guardians will also be engaged to reinforce lessons and provide support at home.
For 2026, DepEd is seeking ₱928.52 billion under the National Expenditure Program, with provisions to expand and strengthen ARAL and related initiatives.
Speaker Romualdez emphasized that the constitutional mandate to prioritize education spending remains central to Congress’ work.
“As lawmakers, we have consistently upheld education as a priority investment as mandated in the 1987 Constitution. Every peso spent on classrooms, textbooks, and supplemental learning support is an investment in the nation’s future. Through ARAL, we are not just helping our children catch up—we are building a Bagong Pilipinas where education is a treasured asset for every Filipino family,” he said.
Romualdez vowed that the House will continue to ensure that funding for ARAL and other DepEd initiatives remains adequate in the coming years to cement President Marcos’ legacy of a strengthened, reformed education system that empowers both teachers and students.
About the Author
