ILOILO City – The Department of Education (DepEd) is strengthening school-based food production and water conservation measures to cushion students against possible food shortages and extreme heat as the country braces for a potentially strong El Niño episode.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said public school gardens under the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) are being expanded to help sustain school feeding activities amid threats of prolonged drought, declining agricultural production and rising food prices.
The initiative aims to transform school gardens into supplementary food sources for the School-Based Feeding Program, particularly benefiting wasted, severely wasted and undernourished learners vulnerable to nutritional disruptions.
Schools are being encouraged to cultivate drought-resistant, fast-growing crops requiring minimal water, including munggo, kamote, okra, malunggay, saluyot and alugbati.
DepEd is also promoting rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, mulching and alternate-day watering to conserve water. Schools with limited planting space may adopt hydroponics, container gardening and vertical farming.
During the Iloilo Numeracy and Literacy Expo on November 4 in this city, Angara said specialized farm schools could play a crucial role in strengthening local food production while equipping students with practical agricultural skills.
Eleven farm schools representing eight Schools Division Offices — Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Iloilo City, Passi City and Roxas City — showcased agricultural innovations during the expo.
Beyond food security, DepEd is implementing a four-tier heat emergency framework allowing school heads to adjust or suspend classes based on prevailing heat indices.
Under DepEd Order No. 14, series of 2026, and DepEd Memorandum No. 064, series of 2026, the framework establishes four response levels:
* Hayo – with a heat index below 27 degrees Celsius, regular classes may continue with hydration breaks and adjustments to outdoor activities
* Hinay – from 27 to 32 degrees Celsius, schools may modify schedules or adopt hybrid and flexible learning arrangements
* Hinga – from 33 to 41 degrees Celsius, in-person classes must be suspended in favor of alternative learning arrangements
* Hinto – beginning at 42 degrees Celsius, both classroom instruction and home-based academic requirements must be suspended
DepEd also prohibits schools from requiring parents to shoulder additional expenses for cooling equipment, connectivity devices or specialized clothing during emergency learning adjustments.
“We cannot afford to wait until extreme heat hits before we act,” Angara said. “Our plan this year is proactive, deliberate, and organized.”
The measures will remain in effect until weather authorities officially declare the end of the El Niño episode.
The combined interventions seek to protect students from the twin threats of food insecurity and extreme heat while ensuring learning continuity during climate-related emergencies./PN
