ILOILO City — More than 729,000 learners have already enrolled across Western Visayas as the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 declared all 2,841 public elementary and secondary schools in the region ready for the opening of classes today for School Year 2026-2027.
DepEd-6 said schools, teachers, and classrooms are fully prepared to accommodate students returning to class, with enrollment figures expected to rise further as schools continue accepting enrollees even after the official enrollment period ended.
“We are all systems go,” DepEd-6 regional information officer Hernani Escullar Jr. said, stressing that preparations for the opening of classes had been completed ahead of schedule.
As of 12:17 p.m. on June 6, total enrollment in the region had reached 729,334 learners. The figure is expected to increase as schools continue encoding data and accepting late enrollees.
Last school year, Western Visayas recorded a total enrollment of 970,902 learners.
Enrollment by Schools Division Office (SDO) showed Iloilo Province accounting for the largest number of enrollees with 334,980, followed by Capiz with 92,925; Aklan, 83,887; Antique, 77,287; Iloilo City, 60,441; Guimaras, 35,990; Roxas City, 24,004; and Passi City, 19,710.
Escullar said schools would continue accommodating learners who failed to enroll during the official enrollment period.
“Though natapos na ang enrollment but if ever may kabataan nga wala nakapa-enrol or ginikanan nga gusto ipa-enrol ang ila kabataan, puede gid makapalapit and approach ang personnel and school head,” said Escullar.
He clarified that late enrollment remains allowed, provided learners do not exceed the allowable absences prescribed under DepEd policies.
“Allowed ang isa ka bata pero as much as 20 percent absenses sa isa ka school year. So, kon late enrollee na sia, dira naga-charge sa 20 percent allowable absenses but as much as possible indi mangin rason or gamiton ini sang parents kay ini ginagamit kun magmasakit ang bata, dira na naga-charge sa 20 percent allowable,” explained Escullar.
DepEd also reiterated its no-collection policy in all public elementary and secondary schools pursuant to DepEd Order No. 19, Series of 2008.
“No fees shall be collected from school children enrolling in pre-school up to Grade 4, during the enrolment period and at any time during the school year. This prohibition shall cover, among others, the authorized but voluntary contributions such as Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Red Cross, Anti-Tuberculosis Fund and Parents-Teachers Association,” stated in the DepEd Order No. 19.
Parents and learners only need to submit documentary requirements such as report cards and Philippine Statistics Authority-issued birth certificates during enrollment.
With classes formally opening, DepEd encouraged learners to arrive early on the first day of school.
“Report to school early for the opening block of Term 1 for School Year 2026-2027. We have prepared for this since last week. We already have conducted Brigada Eskwela as a prelude to the arrival of our learners tomorrow,” said Escullar.
To address concerns that may arise during the opening of classes, DepEd has activated Balik Eskwela Help Desks in schools across the region to respond to questions, complaints, and other concerns from parents and students and provide immediate assistance./PN
