Politics · Philippines Bureau
Philippines mandates disability-accessible standards for new schools by 2027
The Department of Education has issued a policy requiring all new public school buildings to comply with enhanced accessibility and disaster-resilience standards starting in fiscal year 2027. The National Council on Disability Affairs has endorsed the directive as a significant step toward inclusive education infrastructure.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) has established new mandatory standards for public school construction that prioritize accessibility for persons with disabilities and improved disaster resilience, effective beginning fiscal year 2027. The policy, outlined in DepEd Order No. 022, series of 2026, sets enhanced minimum performance requirements for all new school facilities across the country. The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has expressed strong support for the initiative, recognizing it as an important measure to ensure equitable access to educational facilities. The upgraded standards represent a comprehensive approach to modernizing school infrastructure, addressing both the needs of students and staff with disabilities while strengthening buildings against natural disasters. Education officials indicated the new requirements will apply to all public school construction projects initiated from the 2027 fiscal year onward, with implementation overseen by DepEd regional and division offices in coordination with local government units.