EDCOM 2 chief gets special adviser post

MANILA, Philippines — Amid efforts to address the country’s learning crisis, Education Secretary Sonny Angara has appointed Karol Mark Yee as special technical adviser to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Yee, executive director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), will aid in implementing the DepEd’s Learning System Strand.

He is tasked with providing technical advice and strategic policy inputs on matters relating to education reform and workforce development.

Yee will join inter-agency meetings and workshops and assist in reviewing policy directions, roadmaps and programs.

“The authority granted to Dr. Yee… shall not include any role involving operational decision-making, procurement, financial management, or administrative supervision within the DepEd,” Angara said.

Yee is not entitled to honoraria and compensation from the DepEd, he noted.

Angara issued DepEd Memorandum 025 Series of 2026 on April 8, designating Yee as DepEd Learning Systems special technical adviser.

EDCOM 2 has called for reforms to reverse the country’s education crisis.

On March 4, President Marcos signed Republic Act 12315, extending EDCOM 2’s life for two years.

Development delays

Experts have developed an AI-powered app to help parents detect developmental delays in their children.

Agap.ai analyzes, processes and validates a child’s activity after recommending activities that parents can try with their children.

Parents will receive detailed summaries on whether their child achieved a developmental milestone and whether there is improvement or a sign of a possible delay.

Biologist Reynand Jay Canoy, data scientist Maria Cristina Zapanta, psychometrician Patricia Parungao and software developer John Romeo Alvarez created the app.

The team had represented the Philippines at the Bangkok Business Challenge, Asia’s longest-running global student startup competition.