DEPED COMPLEX, Pasig City — Amidst the United States’ 90-day foreign aid freeze ordered by President Donald Trump, the Philippines is set to lose over ₱4 billion in assistance for key education initiatives, education secretary Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara sadly announced.

Despite this, though, Angara sent a letter to US ambassador MaryKay Carlson to express appreciation for the long-standing support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in improving basic education in the country.

Still, to be affected by Trump's foreign aid freeze are several initiatives of the Department of Education (DepEd) that include the ABC+ project for early-grade learning, the Improving Learning Outcomes for the Philippines project and Gabay program for learners with special needs.

Angara disclosed that DepEd is requesting the USAID to turn over project materials, which would help the education department in efficiently using resources and seek alternative sources of funding.

He added that they will be accelerating textbook procurement to ensure students have materials before the opening of the next school year even as efforts will be made to strengthen the capacity of schools in tgeur curriculum and teaching strand.

“We recognize the tremendous impact of the USAID’s contributions to Philippine education. While we await the resolution of this suspension, the DepEd will move forward and ensure that President Marcos’ reforms in education remain on track,” the education chief pointed out.

Meanwhile, foreign affairs secretary Enrique Manalo stated that he will be meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio to seek clarification on the USAID-funded programs in the country that will be affected by policy directives of the Trump administration.

“It’s always been an important area, I mean a form of assistance, but of course, it’s the US sovereign right to decide on how to undertake their programs. (But) we’d like to perhaps seek clarification exactly on what will be affected,” Manalo noted.