Filipino students abroad are about to gain greater access to high-quality, culturally rooted educational resources, thanks to a new partnership between the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Philippine Educational Publishers Association (PEPA).
In a landmark agreement signed Friday, both organizations pledged to strengthen the academic experience in Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs), which serve over 25,000 Filipino learners across 34 institutions worldwide.
“Our Philippine Schools Overseas are already doing well, with students showing strong performance in aptitude tests and entrance exams,” said CFO Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II during the signing ceremony. “But excellence has no ceiling. We aim to raise the bar even higher and ensure that every Filipino learner abroad has full access to the resources they need—and deserve.”
The initiative is more than just a boost in learning materials. It’s a cultural mission.
With six new PSOs expected to join the network soon, the partnership opens the door for a broader global rollout of Filipino-authored textbooks, teacher training, and enrichment programs. PEPA President Jose Paolo Sibal emphasized the importance of reaching out to Filipino schools abroad, saying, “They’re an extension of our educational system. With this collaboration, we can now connect even with those schools that haven’t been as active. Secretary Klink has opened many doors.”
Sibal also announced PEPA’s intent to expand their reach by bringing local activities—such as educational workshops, training seminars, and a wide variety of publisher resources—to overseas campuses. “We want them to have the same benefits and freedom of choice as schools back home,” he noted.
The CFO, which operates under the Office of the President, works closely with the Department of Education to oversee and guide PSOs. It serves as the secretariat of the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas, playing a key role in shaping education policies and standards for these institutions abroad.
Ultimately, this partnership is about more than academic achievement—it’s about preserving identity and deepening connections. By bridging quality education with cultural heritage, the CFO and PEPA are helping shape future-ready Filipino students who remain rooted in their origins, no matter where they are in the world.
This vision aligns closely with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda, which champions inclusive nation-building—within and beyond Philippine borders.