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Despite its 10 billion budget cut, the Department of Education (DepEd) will distribute 62,000 laptops and smart TV packages worth P1.8 billion across schools nationwide as fulfillment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his State of the Nation Address (SONA). 

Photo Courtesy of Inquirer.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara stated that the rollout continues despite a P10-billion from the national budget cut which halted the computerization program of DepEd that reduced the original target of 800,000 laptops. 

“Our goal is for each school to have an ‘e-cart’ or roving computer lab that all students can use. Additionally, we are providing various software tools to support our teachers,” Angara stated regarding the distribution of 62,000 laptops. 

DepEd will collaborate with the Department of Finance and the Department of Budget to ensure the continuous initiative of distributing laptops and smart TV packages. 

“As we relentlessly address the classroom gap, we must bridge the digital gap with equal intensity. Students will be equipped with computers, smart TVs, essential programs, digital books—and, once again, access to reliable power and the Internet,” President Marcos stated regarding the continuous initiative. 

Meanwhile, Region IV-A(CALABARZON), Region VI(Western Visayas) and Region VIII(Eastern Visayas) are among the regions that received the highest allocation for ICT equipment as of February 4, 2025. 

DepEd Assistant Secretary for Information and Communications Marcelino Veloso assured that the distribution of devices has been secured ahead of the official budget release.

“We will not wait for the General Appropriations Act(GAA) for 2025 to commence the procurement process” Veloso stated during the “Bangon, Bayan Mahal” radio program of Radyo Pilipinas. 

Throughout the distribution, DepEd assures that the distribution of devices aims to improve the country’s low teacher-to laptop ratio. 

The Second Congressional Commision on Education(EDCOM II) stated the need for teachers to have better access to technology and empower teachers to be more effective.