ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio has raised concerns over the implementation of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) ARAL Program, questioning the status of its ₱8.9 billion budget allocation intended for hiring additional learning support personnel.
In an exclusive interview on DZRH Stories: Pinoy Documentaries, Tinio cited DepEd’s earlier commitment under Education Secretary Sonny Angara regarding the deployment of thousands of tutors under the program.
“Kay Secretary Angara mismo… may 8.9 billion na yan ay magagamit para sa pag-hire ng 448,000 outside tutors for the ARAL Program,” Tinio said, referring to the approved budget.
However, he expressed concern over the apparent delay in implementation despite the availability of funding.
“Sinabi niya 'yan sa pagka-approve ng bagong budget. Pero as of now, sabi nga, ‘Anyare na?’ Natapos na yung ARAL Program ng summer. Wala pa rin,” he added.
The ARAL Program (Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning) is a nationwide DepEd intervention designed to help K-10 public school students recover from learning losses. It provides free, targeted tutoring and supplemental lessons in Reading, Mathematics, and Science to ensure students meet minimum grade-level standards.
Tinio’s remarks underscore calls for greater transparency and timely rollout of education recovery initiatives as the new school year begins.
