The Department of Education (DepEd) has activated its 2026 National Oplan Balik Eskwela to ensure a safe, orderly, and smooth opening of classes on June 8.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the multi-agency initiative will run from June 1 to 11 to address enrollment concerns, coordinate logistical support, and respond to public queries before and during the start of the school year.
“Ang ating paghahanda para sa Oplan Balik Eskwela ay patunay ng ibinigay na prayoridad ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na itaas ang kalidad ng edukasyon para sa bawat kabataang Pilipino,” Angara said.
“Sinisiguro natin, kasama ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan, na magiging ligtas, maayos, at walang aberya ang pagbabalik-aral ng ating mga mag-aaral,” he added.
DepEd said preparations for school opening are now being treated as a year-round effort to reduce classroom disruptions and improve public service delivery.
The department is coordinating with 16 government agencies, utility providers, and other partners to support school readiness, campus safety, transportation, power and water supply, connectivity, disaster response, and consumer protection.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Health (DOH), and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will help implement safety measures, community health assistance, and traffic management plans.
The Department of Energy (DOE) will coordinate efforts to ensure stable power supply, while the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will monitor consumer protection concerns related to school supplies and other needs.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will oversee commuter flow across air, land, and sea routes, while the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will support connectivity requirements.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will remain on 24-hour standby for possible weather-related hazards, with the Presidential Communications Office helping amplify public advisories.
DepEd said Manila Electric Company and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System have also prepared oversight measures to help ensure uninterrupted electricity and water services in school clusters.
The Department of Public Works and Highways will assist in infrastructure concerns, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development will help track support for vulnerable learners.
To handle concerns from the public, the Oplan Balik Eskwela Public Assistance Command Center will use hotlines, email, and social media channels to receive and act on complaints and inquiries in real time.
The command center will operate at the DepEd Central Office, with corresponding operations at the regional, division, and school levels.
DepEd said public school teachers will not be assigned administrative or clerical tasks during the preparation period, allowing them to focus on classroom readiness and teaching preparations.