Angara fast-tracks delivery of disaster-resilient classrooms

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 





MAKATI CITY, 14 April 2026 — Education Secretary Sonny Angara is accelerating the disbursement of funds for Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS), prioritizing the construction of disaster-resilient classrooms in schools with the most urgent needs.



Through the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF), the Department of Education (DepEd) aims to address the nationwide classroom backlog with this rapid and cost-efficient solution.



“Bilang tugon sa utos ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, bibilisan natin ang paglalabas ng pondo para sa mga classrooms na kayang tumagal sa sakuna. Ang mahalaga rito, hindi maputol ang pag-aaral ng mga bata,” ani Angara.



“Bahagi ito ng plano ng administrasyong Marcos na siguruhing mabilis makarating ang tulong at mga de-kalidad na pasilidad sa mga lugar na hirap sa kakulangan ng silid-aralan.”



The LCS program has been granted a Php3.5 billion allocation for Fiscal Year 2026 to deliver classrooms to schools dealing with severe shortages, condemned or unsafe structures, or immediate need for learning spaces.



To ensure swift implementation, Angara said DepEd is downloading funds directly to Schools Division Offices (SDO) for immediate procurement and construction.



He emphasized the flexibility of the LCS strategy, noting that sourcing most materials and labor locally makes it easier to adjust to the specific needs of each site.



Except for specialized components like sandwich panels, most materials will be bought from local hardware suppliers, boosting local economies while avoiding logistical delays.



Angara encouraged field offices to replicate the successful implementation models used in Masbate, Davao, and Bogo City.



Unlike traditional construction, each LCS unit can be installed and fully functional within one to two weeks.



Built to meet strict standards, these specialized structures can withstand local environmental hazards. They offer a more economical alternative to permanent buildings without compromising safety or climate-resilience benchmarks.

This streamlined approach ensures that learners in vulnerable areas can return to safe, functional learning environments without delay.

DepEd urges campus journalists at 2026 NSPC to stand for truth

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 





ORMOC CITY, 14 April 2026 — The Department of Education (DepEd) urged campus journalists during the opening of the 2026 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) to remain steadfast in pursuing truth and accountability, even as artificial intelligence reshapes the media landscape.



This year’s NSPC, organized by DepEd in collaboration with the Local Government of Ormoc City, opened on Monday with a call for young journalists to take on a more critical role in combating misinformation and disinformation.



“Now more than ever, the role of the student-journalist is vital, for they are called to lead in fact-checking and to stand as defenders of verified, credible, and truthful information for the public,” said DepEd Undersecretary for Learning Systems Strand Carmela Oracion, who represented Education Secretary Sonny Angara in this year’s gathering.



Oracion also highlighted how the speed of information today has increased both opportunity and risk.



She stressed the importance of principled journalism in shaping public understanding, urging student-journalists to uphold accuracy and integrity.



Meanwhile, broadcast journalist and keynote speaker Atom Araullo emphasized the deeper purpose of journalism in his address to more than 3,400 delegates from 18 regions gathered at the Ormoc City Superdome.



“Ang journalism ay hindi isang competition. Ito ay isang serbisyo. Kapag may sakuna, may eleksyon, may katiwalian, kailangan may magsabi ng totoo,” Araullo said.



He also underscored the limits of emerging technologies in news work.



“AI can generate content, but it cannot pursue the truth,” he added.



This year’s NSPC, themed “Mapanuri, Mapanindigan, at Mapanagutang Pamamahayag,” features competitions in writing, visual journalism, and broadcast and multimedia, reflecting the evolving demands of the profession.



These include news, feature, editorial, sports, science and technology, and column writing, as well as copyediting and headline writing, photojournalism, editorial cartooning, radio and TV broadcasting, online publishing, and mobile journalism.



The conference serves not only as a venue for competition but also as a platform to reinforce the role of campus journalism in nation-building.

EcoWaste Coalition Shares Tips to Manage Heat as Mercury Rises

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

14 April 2026, Quezon City. With temperatures hitting dangerous levels, the environmental watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition has listed practical tips to keep your bodies and homes cool and safe, and manage extreme heat risks.

Echoing the advice from the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the EcoWaste Coalition shared heat stress avoidance tips to beat the intense summer heat. Taking a cue from the viral upbeat song "Hawak mo ang Beat," the group said, "kakayanin ang heat" by staying cool and safe.

Here are some ideas to keep your body cool and safe during the sizzling summer:

1. Drink water proactively to stay cool and prevent dehydration.
2. Carry a refillable water bottle wherever you go to stay hydrated and cut down on plastic waste.
3. Avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, and sugary drinks as they can exacerbate dehydration.
4. Choose hydrating snacks like fresh, water-rich fruits in season over fatty, salty, and sweet processed snacks.
5. Eat light and smaller meals to keep body temperature down.
6. Stay out of direct sunlight during the hottest time of the day, usually between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
7. Be aware of your body's limits and stay out of the heat to reduce risks.
8. Seek shade and cover up with a bandana, hat, umbrella, or “Good Morning” towel if you must go outside. Bring a pamaypay (fan).
9. Wear breathable, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothes.
10. Wear UV-protective sunglasses to reduce glare and protect your eyes from sun damage.
11. Be alert to symptoms of heat exhaustion, and seek help when feeling unwell.
12. Apply a cold, damp cloth on your forehead, neck, and underarms for instant relief.
13. Avoid, if not quit, smoking and/or vaping as nicotine and other chemicals can increase body strain, raising the risk of heat-related ailments.
14. Inhale-exhale to cool down and lessen stress.
15. Keep a calm, joyful, and positive mindset to reduce summer irritability and avoid stress.

And to keep your home cool amid the sweltering heat, try these tips:

1. Keep windows open if appropriate and safe to allow continuous air circulation, but use light curtains or blinds when there is direct sunlight. Screened windows are ideal to improve airflow while preventing mosquitoes.
2 Coat your roof with lead-safe white paint to deflect the sunlight and lower indoor temperatures.
3. Spend more time downstairs, farther from the roof.
4. Tidy up your home of non-essential things that consume space and block the air.
5. Use indoor plants to enhance air quality and cool the indoor environment.
6. Maximize use of natural light; turn off unnecessary lights and appliances as these emit heat and cause indoor temperature rise.
7. Point portable fans toward windows or doors to purge trapped heat, creating a cooler environment.
8. Schedule heat-generating chores such as cooking and ironing in early morning or at night, and avoid doing them during peak heat hours when possible.
9. Use gray water to clean or cool outdoor surfaces.
10. Keep the air clean by not burning waste. Segregate at source, repair, reuse, recycle, and compost instead.

Weather experts have warned that dangerous heat index levels will persist across the Philippines throughout April-May 2026.