MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is integrating climate resilience and drought mitigation into daily school routines nationwide, utilizing over 35,000 Youth for Environment in Schools Organizations (YES-O) and an expanded Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) to counter the threats of a “super” El Niño.
The initiative builds on established student-led efforts, including cleanup drives and tree-planting campaigns, to reinforce institutional water conservation and food security.
Under DepEd Memorandum No. 64, s. 2026, the agency has issued comprehensive guidelines outlining anticipatory measures to safeguard school environments through the 2026–2027 dry spell.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara emphasized that student involvement is vital for fostering long-term behavioral changes necessary for a climate-resilient country.
“Kapag ang kabataan mismo ang nagtatanim ng mga resilient na pananim sa Gulayan sa Paaralan at matipid sa paggamit ng tubig, hindi lang natin pinahihigpitan ang proteksyon ng ating mga paaralan, tinuturuan din natin silang maging masinop at handang mamamayan.”
To maintain productivity despite water constraints, the revitalized GPP prioritizes short-cycle and drought-tolerant crops—such as mung beans, okra, malunggay, saluyot, alugbati, and sweet potatoes—which directly support the ongoing School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP).
Furthermore, students will help implement water-saving strategies, including rainwater harvesting systems, simple drip irrigation, mulching, and optimized watering schedules to curb evaporation.
Complementing these agricultural measures, DepEd is rolling out a synchronized nationwide tree-planting campaign focused on drought-resistant native species and mangroves. This effort draws inspiration from successful local initiatives such as Project Tanom Paglaum in the Capiz Schools Division Office, where students have already planted more than 16,700 trees and mangroves.
Student leaders will also conduct peer briefings during flag ceremonies to promote waste segregation and disaster readiness.
These educational efforts align with broader government directives issued by the Marcos administration, urging all agencies to intensify preparations for potential droughts and water shortages.
This follows warnings from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), which noted that prevailing dry conditions could intensify significantly.
To ensure sustainable execution, DepEd is collaborating closely with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units (LGUs), and non-governmental organizations to keep learning spaces safe and secure.