DepEd welcomes launch of NAICRI, underscores responsible AI integration in basic education

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MANILA, 26 February 2026 — The Department of Education (DepEd) welcomed the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Innovation (NAICRI), led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen the country’s long-term AI ecosystem and support the responsible integration of artificial intelligence in basic education.



A key milestone in the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for the Philippines (NAIS-PH), NAICRI serves as the country’s institutional platform for advancing AI research, shared computing infrastructure, and innovation translation across priority sectors.



For DepEd, the establishment of NAICRI complements ongoing reforms in workforce development, digital infrastructure, and responsible governance.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said DepEd wants Filipino students to be ready for a future where AI is common, while still making sure it is used in a safe, fair, and responsible way.



“Education must be both protected and future-ready,” Secretary Angara noted. “We will harness AI to close learning gaps, strengthen governance, and empower teachers—but always with safeguards, transparency, and human oversight.”



Even before the launch of NAICRI, DepEd has been institutionalizing AI integration across three key pillars: AI in Education, Education on AI, and AI for Education Systems, anchored on learner protection and human-centered innovation.



Among the Department’s major AI-driven initiatives are:

· Project TALINO – A digital mapping system providing real-time insights into school needs, strengthening data-informed planning and private sector engagement.

· Project DUNONG – Automating the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads to improve efficiency and accuracy in leadership selection.

· Project SALIKSEEK – A generative AI-powered quick-response tool that enables DepEd personnel to access structured education data within seconds.



To ensure guardrails are firmly in place, DepEd issued the Foundational Guidelines on the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Basic Education, establishing a national framework that promotes ethical, inclusive, and risk-proportionate AI use in schools.



The policy adopts a risk-based classification system aligned with global standards, explicitly prohibiting high-risk uses such as social scoring, manipulative chatbots for minors, and biometric emotion recognition.



It mandates Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), the establishment of a DepEd AI Registry, and strict compliance with data privacy and child protection laws prior to any AI deployment.



As NAICRI takes its place as the Philippines’ institutional AI hub, DepEd reaffirmed that basic education will help shape an AI-ready generation—critical thinkers, ethical users, and future innovators.

DepEd, EdTech Hub present Filipino-led AI innovation in education in global AI summit

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NEW DELHI, INDIA, 26 February 2026 — The Department of Education (DepEd), through its Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR), presented its national framework for scaling artificial intelligence in public education at the AI Impact Summit held at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre last February 16-21, 2026.



The session, titled “From Promising Pilots to System Shifts: What It Really Takes to Scale Responsible AI in Education,” was organized by EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory & Action Lab. The discussion focused on how artificial intelligence initiatives can move beyond small pilot projects toward responsible, system-wide adoption in large public education systems.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscored that scaling AI in education must be guided by evidence and accountability.

“At DepEd, we are deliberate about building AI that strengthens public institutions, protects our learners, and delivers measurable results at scale. ECAIR reflects our commitment to move beyond experimentation and toward responsible transformation across our entire education system,” Angara said.


DepEd, represented in the summit by the ECAIR team, emphasized that even incremental efficiency gains can generate significant impact.


“In a system serving over 24 million learners, even a one percent gain in efficiency has a massive impact on our country’s education system. By integrating AI into DepEd’s operations, we are saving millions of hours of our teachers’ time so they can focus on teaching,” ECAIR Governance and Delivery Lead Elmo Domino Jose said.


ECAIR is part of DepEd’s broader AI ecosystem and leads the design, development, and implementation of selected AI systems supporting governance and education service delivery. Its mandate includes ensuring that AI tools are embedded within institutional workflows rather than operating as standalone initiatives.


Among the systems highlighted during the summit were:
SIGLA, which automates school health monitoring and reporting, reducing administrative workload and saving an estimated 60,000 hours annually for approximately 34,000 teachers.
SABAY, an AI-supported digital triage system designed to extend specialist academic support to around 48,000 public schools, particularly for early-grade learners.
DepEd outlined ECAIR’s four-part framework for expanding the reach of AI solutions in public education: technical readiness for nationwide deployment; institutional ownership within DepEd; governance mechanisms embedded in system design; and transparent implementation to sustain public trust.



EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory & Action Lab supports DepEd and ECAIR through research, global best practice, real-world implementation, and documentation of evidence and outcomes. It also facilitates knowledge exchange with global experts and institutions, enabling cross-country learning to inform policy and scaling strategies.

The Philippines is one of six countries selected for the AI Observatory’s Ministry of Education AI Challenge and the only one in Southeast Asia. This engagement is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and builds on the strong education partnership between the United Kingdom and the Philippines.


ECAIR Managing Director Dr. Erika Fille Legara said the partnership strengthens institutional capacity and evidence-based deployment.


“Our partnership with EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory ensures we are not building in isolation. We co-design systems grounded in school realities while learning from global experience,” Legara said.

Watchdog Finds Toxic Chemicals in Lipsticks, Warns of Risks to Health and the Environment

 

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Toxics watchdog BAN Toxics once again warned the public about the presence of toxic chemicals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium in cheap lipsticks sold in local markets. This came after a recent market investigation conducted by the group on the sale of affordable lipsticks, with prices ranging from P50 to P70 per piece, sold by beauty shops and ambulant vendors in Caloocan, Malabon, Manila, Marikina, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, and Taguig. The items have no market authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

The group managed to purchase 45 matte lipstick samples to assess their compliance with health and safety standards, including the presence of toxic chemicals. Some of the products had incomplete or missing labeling information, raising concerns about the possible presence of hazardous substances. Notably, nine lipsticks listed propylparaben and methylparaben on their labels.

Using a Vanta C Series Handheld XRF Analyzer, the group tested the samples and discovered the presence of lead at levels of up to 120 parts per million (ppm), mercury up to 280 ppm, cadmium up to 114 ppm, and arsenic up to 36 ppm. All the samples contained three to four different hazardous substances, far exceeding the limits set by the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive under the ASEAN Guidelines on Limits of Contaminants for Cosmetics.

Citing the World Health Organization, BAN Toxics highlighted that lead exposure remains a serious global health threat. It is linked to approximately 1.5 million deaths annually, primarily from cardiovascular disease, and causes irreversible neurological and behavioral damage, especially in children. Young children absorb significantly more lead than adults, leading to reduced IQ, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems. Lead exposure also harms the developing fetus.

“Lead, mercury, cadmium, and other chemical substances are proven toxicants that accumulate in the body through continuous exposure and can pose risks to public health and the environment,” said Thony Dizon, Advocacy and Campaign Officer of BAN Toxics.

Parabens, one of the listed ingredients, are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics. However, they are considered chemicals of emerging concern due to scientific findings suggesting their ability to disrupt the endocrine system. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals has been linked to hormone disruption, reproductive issues, an increased risk of cancer, and skin irritation.

Since 2013, the country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued multiple public health warnings against unnotified cosmetic products, including lipsticks, as these may contain heavy metals such as lead used as pigments (colorants). Because these products have not undergone the FDA’s notification process, their quality and safety cannot be guaranteed, making them potential health hazards.

As an advocate of safe cosmetics, BAN Toxics urges regulatory agencies to step up enforcement actions against unregistered and unnotified beauty products and strengthen measures to protect the consuming public. The group further advises manufacturers to comply with the labeling requirements under the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive.

The required labeling information includes:

Product name (and its function, unless clearly indicated)

Ingredients (full listing in descending order)

Net content (weight or volume)

Instructions for product use (unless clear from the name or presentation)

Batch number

Special precautions (if any, including conditions of use and warnings)

Country of manufacture

Manufacturer or responsible person (name and address)

Expiry or manufacturing date

The group further advises the public to carefully read product labels and avoid those with incomplete ingredient lists, purchase only from reputable beauty shops, and verify a product’s registration status with the FDA to ensure safety.

Dizon added, “The public should be cautious when purchasing beauty products, as they may contain harmful chemicals such as lead, mercury, and other preservatives. If we are not sure if the cosmetic products are safe, it is better to avoid buying and using them and report them to the proper authorities.”

To enhance consumer safety, the group is pushing for greater transparency and traceability of hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing of cosmetic products and is advocating for the enactment of a Safe Cosmetics Law in the country.