THE CITY government pledged support for the construction of additional classrooms and strengthening the central kitchen for the school-based feeding program, which are among the priority programs of the Department of Education (DepEd) XI.
The development follows the courtesy call of newly installed Department of Education (DepEd) XI director Maria Ines Asuncion and DepEd Davao City Schools Division superintendent Rey Solitario to Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
“We stand ready to align our efforts with the city government, focusing on these critical priorities. We are deeply grateful for the city’s enduring partnership, and together, we will ensure every Davao child receives the strong, future-ready education they deserve,” Solitario said.
DepEd XI, in a press release, said the courtesy visit tackled key initiatives to improve the delivery of basic education in the city.
The officials also discussed expanding Davao City’s successful central kitchen model, which currently serves eight public schools in Marilog District.
Duterte directed the replication of the same model in other geographically isolated and high-need school districts to benefit more learners across the city.
The existing central kitchen facility in Sta. Ana District continues to provide hot, nutritious meals to surrounding public elementary schools, which yielded positive results such as improved nutrition, better school attendance, and reduced dropout rates.
The MOA between the city government and DepEd XI is underway, with pilot implementation of selected elementary schools in Davao City set to start for School Year 2026-2027.
The city government, through the Local School Board, has earmarked P20 million to augment the existing DepEd budget for the program.
Asuncion also raised the formal acquisition of a dedicated site and permanent location of the DepEd Regional Office to better improve delivery of services to schools and stakeholders regionwide.
Duterte expressed support for the proposal and directed DepEd to prepare a comprehensive position paper outlining the necessity of the requested land allocation and coordinate with the appropriate offices.
During the meeting, strengthening foundational learning by improving classroom environments, enhancing teaching and learning resources, and reinforcing learners’ competencies in reading and mathematics were also discussed.
Asuncion emphasized the need for stronger coordination with the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to ensure curriculum alignment and technical-vocational pathways.
Apart from additional classrooms and the Central Kitchen, the integration of the Dabawenyo DCplinado Module for learners and enhanced support for student safety, welfare, and sports development were emphasized.
