Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara met with House Deputy Speaker and First District Representative Jay Khonghun at the House of Representatives to discuss pressing concerns affecting public schools in Zambales’ First District.
During the courtesy meeting, the two officials tackled critical issues such as the persistent shortage of classrooms, the need for greater support for teachers, gaps in learning resources, and the improvement of school facilities in Olongapo City, Subic, Castillejos, and San Marcelino.
Khonghun described the discussion as productive, noting that both offices committed to closer coordination to address the immediate and long-term needs of students in the district.
“Education remains our strongest investment for the next generation,” Khonghun said, stressing the importance of ensuring quality, accessible, and future-ready education for all learners in the First District.
Angara, for his part, assured that DepEd is prepared to work closely with the congressman’s office to help fund and prioritize much-needed education projects in the district.
DepEd continues to grapple with a significant classroom shortage nationwide, a long-standing challenge that underscores the need for strong collaboration between the executive and legislative branches to fast-track budget allocation and project implementation at the local level.
Both officials reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that schools in Zambales’ First District are not left behind, pledging sustained efforts to strengthen the quality of education across the region.