Beyond academic achievement and knowledge, education is many things. It is a powerful catalyst for poverty alleviation, social equality, and holistic national development. The Philippines' commitment to enhancing its education landscape echoes its aspiration to unlock the potential of every citizen, regardless of their background. For the longest time in history, education in the Philippines has played an essential role in building the backbone of society, its people, and leaders. Through education, the country molds economists, researchers, politicians, lawyers, teachers, and artists. It is a cornerstone of national development, contributing to growth, social progress, and stability.

In recent years, the Philippine educational system has undergone major changes in both implementation and execution. Notably, the Department of Education had to implement conjunctions like the transition to K-12 education, in a bid to improve the competency of Filipino students and follow the global standards of education. In the most recent basic education report, the lack of school infrastructure and resources to support the ideal teaching process is the most pressing issue pounding the Philippine basic education. Today, there are over 28 million Filipino learners studying in public schools all over the Philippines. The latest data shows that there are 327,851 school buildings in the country. Out of these school buildings, only 104,536 are in good condition.

Recognising that the continued development of the Philippines' education system requires concerted efforts and collaboration from both the public and private sectors, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) organises a Luncheon Meeting with DepEd Secretary, Hon. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara. At the event, Secretary Angara will provide updates on the DepEd's plans and priorities for the coming years as well as the new developments that have taken place since the last transition of DepEd's leadership. The luncheon will likewise provide an avenue to explore areas for cooperation with the private sector.

This event underscores the ECCP's commitment to fostering partnerships and promoting dialogue between the business community and government officials. By bringing together influential leaders and stakeholders, the luncheon aims to generate actionable insights and collaborative strategies that will drive positive change in the Philippine education sector.