ALIGNED with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of ensuring accessible education for the youth, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara reaffirms his dedication to narrowing the digital divide soon.
On July 11, 2025, DepEd Sec. Angara visited Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, where he reinforced the president’s directive to address the digital gap and other educational challenges faced by students in the region.
To help ensure that educational aid reaches students more quickly, DepEd partnered with RepublicAsia Media, GMA Network, iACADEMY, and the Department of Budget and Management for the Pay It Forward campaign.
This initiative, a collaboration between public and private sectors, aims to close the digital divide in remote communities—delivering 150 tablets and 3 smart TVs to Camp Bagong Amai Pakpak Elementary School.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa Pay It Forward for this very generous gift to Camp Bagong Amai Pakpak Elementary School. May susunod pa po ito,” the education secretary said.
”Ito po ang instruction ng ating mahal na pangulo, na galing din po dito. Sabi niya tulungan natin ang ating mga estudyante, dahil sa isang mundo na may A.I., kailangan matuto [gumamit] ng computer at digital skills.”
“Ayaw niyang maiwan ang lahat ng mga batang Pilipino kasama ang mga anak natin dito sa Marawi City. Makipagtulungan tayo sa pribadong sektor, kaya’t nagsama-sama po tayo rito,” he added.
Together with five Cabinet Secretaries and several ministers from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), DepEd also supports the broader mission of accelerating Marawi’s rehabilitation.
During an earlier meeting held at Camp Ranao, Marawi, DepEd committed to lead the construction of School Ancillary Facilities in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways.
In addition, DepEd pledged support for providing school equipment to Marawi Integrated School as part of its continuing efforts in the region.
Just last month, President Marcos Jr. visited Marawi and oversaw the donation and installation of Starlink devices in Temporary Learning Spaces, benefiting 720 students from five schools.
