MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is scrambling to keep key education programs afloat after the sudden suspension of $94 million (approximately P4 billion) in United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding. 

While DepEd insists that initiatives will continue as planned, the loss of financial support threatens to derail critical reforms, forcing the agency to seek alternative solutions to fill the gap.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara, in a letter to U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, expressed appreciation for USAID’s long-standing contributions to Philippine education. 

However, he did not shy away from the gravity of the situation, underscoring the “serious implications” of the funding freeze.

In an attempt to contain the damage, DepEd is rolling out a multi-pronged approach.

The Department has asked USAID to properly turn over project materials to salvage remaining resources, is seeking new funding sources, and is attempting to integrate key project interventions into its own system. 

“To mitigate the impact of the suspension, DepEd is implementing a multi-pronged strategy, which includes requesting USAID the proper turnover of project materials to efficiently use project resources, exploring alternative funding sources, and strengthening the capacity of the Curriculum and Teaching Strand to integrate key project interventions into the Department’s existing systems,” Angara said in a statement Thursday.

Meanwhile, in a race against time, DepEd has accelerated its textbook procurement for Grades 2, 5, and 8, aiming to have materials ready by the 2025-2026 school year.

“We will exhaust all means to sustain these programs, ensuring that the education of our learners is not disrupted. DepEd will maximize its existing budget, engage with existing and new partners, and absorb key components of these projects,” Angara said.

The education bureau said affected initiatives are integral to DepEd’s 5-Point Reform Agenda, including ABC+, which enhances early-grade literacy and numeracy; ILO-Ph, which strengthens assessment frameworks; and Gabay, which provides support for learners with special needs. 

Meanwhile, the ALS Tracer Study and Opportunity 2.0 programs are set for completion by February 2025, with DepEd working to ensure their objectives remain on track.  

Despite the funding suspension, DepEd said it remains optimistic, emphasizing the long-standing education partnership between the Philippines and the U.S. as a foundation for continued collaboration.

“We recognize the tremendous impact of USAID’s contributions to Philippine education. While we await the resolution of this suspension, DepEd will move forward and ensure that PBBM’s reforms in education remain on track,” Angara said.

The U.S. government has initiated a 90-day review of USAID’s funding allocations, potentially impacting Philippine projects that depend on American assistance.  

On January 24, the U.S. State Department issued a “stop-work” order in response to former President Donald Trump’s directive to reassess whether U.S. foreign aid aligns with his administration’s foreign policy objectives.