MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) declared their readiness for the opening of classes on Monday, June 16, with around 27 million students expected to return to schools. The PNP confirmed that 37,740 police officers will be deployed nationwide to ensure security.

“All systems go, everything for the opening of our classes tomorrow [Monday], June 16,” DepEd Media Relations chief Dennis Legaspi confirmed in a Viber message to reporters.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is scheduled to visit Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School in Manila, accompanied by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara. Secretary Angara will also visit Tenement Elementary School in Taguig, and one school each in Biñan and City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Under Secretary Angara’s leadership, DepEd has reverted to the original June to March school calendar, a directive from President Marcos aimed at preventing learning loss due to missed school days caused by various weather disturbances.

DepEd also reported progress in its computerization program, delivering 33,539 laptops for teachers and 5,360 for non-teaching staff. Nearly 26,000 smart TV packages with external hard drives have also been purchased to improve learning delivery outcomes. For textbook distribution, procurement for Grades 1, 4, and 7 books is at 99 percent completion, while books for Grades 2, 5, and 8 are nearing the halfway mark. Procurement for the remaining grade levels is set to begin next year.

Meanwhile, PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III assured the public of enhanced security measures under “Oplan Balik-Eskwela” (Back to School). A total of 37,740 police officers will be deployed to secure both public and private schools nationwide.

Torre detailed the deployment plan, which includes 5,079 Police Assistance Desks near school premises, manned by 10,759 officers. Additionally, 10,687 officers will conduct mobile patrols, and 16,366 will be assigned to foot patrols, ensuring high police visibility in critical and high-density areas.

“The safety of our students, teachers and school staff remains our utmost priority. We want to ensure that our children return to school without fear or harm. Our police officers will be in every possible area to provide protection, guidance, and support,” Torre said in a news release.

General Torre emphasized the PNP’s full coordination with DepEd, local government units, and other partner agencies, urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or safety concerns to the nearest police station or via PNP’s 24/7 hotlines. PNP personnel also participated in the annual “Brigada Eskwela” efforts, assisting in classroom and school ground preparations.