A crisis-proof, disaster-resilient learning and teaching methodology will soon transform how Filipino students learn and help address the challenges typically faced by thousands of public schools across the country.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is gearing up for the nationwide rollout of the Central Visayan Institute Foundation Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF-DLP), finalizing the teacher training guidelines to ensure educators are equipped to implement this innovative, crisis-resilient teaching strategy. DepEd has also completed a comprehensive database of Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) for schools piloting the program.

“We are institutionalizing CVIF-DLP because it teaches resilience, discipline, and independent thinking,” said Sec. Sonny Angara, Department of Education. “These are skills our learners will need in this changing world. In times of disruption, CVIF-DLP keeps learning going. By equipping teachers with clear guidance and by building a complete library of Learning Activity Sheets, we are making sure this program can work in every type of school, from the most remote to the most hit by disasters. It’s a practical reform with real impact on classrooms.”

Pioneered by Ramon Magsaysay Awardees Dr. Christopher Bernido and his late wife, Dr. Marivic Carpio-Bernido, CVIF-DLP champions ‘learning by doing’—a student-centered approach where learners actively engage in their own quest for knowledge.

Originally designed to address chronic challenges in their own school—such as teacher shortages, lack of textbooks, and frequent class suspensions—the program now offers solutions to problems faced by thousands of public schools nationwide.

At the heart of CVIF-DLP are Learning Activity Sheets: single-page guides that break down complex topics into manageable tasks. Students work through these at their own pace with minimal teacher intervention.

“Writing forces students to slow down and process what they’re learning,” said Dr. Bernido. “When learners put their thoughts on paper, they’re not just recalling facts—they’re analyzing, organizing, and making sense of ideas. That’s where critical thinking begins.”

To maximize limited resources, CVIF-DLP introduces a parallel class system, allowing one expert teacher to handle three classes simultaneously. While the expert teacher rotates among rooms to review lessons and answer questions, facilitators supervise students as they complete their LAS.

The program also promotes strategic rest and study. Skills-based subjects like music, arts, and physical education are scheduled midweek to give students a mental reset. Homework is discouraged to ensure tasks are completed in school, though LAS may be assigned during disruptions such as severe weather and out-of-school competitions.

DepEd recently partnered with PLDT and Smart to expand CVIF-DLP to 450 schools—many in areas vulnerable to typhoons and infrastructure gaps. The program is also DepEd’s preferred option during emergencies.

“Education continuity is critical, especially in communities that face recurring disruptions,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart. “Our partnership with DepEd and CVIF ensures that students can keep learning despite challenging circumstances. CVIF-DLP is more than a teaching strategy—it’s a lifeline for schools striving to deliver quality education under any circumstance.”

Since 2010, PLDT and Smart have played a pivotal role in scaling CVIF-DLP nationwide. Through sustained support, the PLDT Group has helped train over 32,000 teachers and implement the program in more than 1,000 schools across elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels. This long-standing commitment underscores PLDT and Smart’s advocacy for inclusive, resilient education—especially in disaster-prone and underserved communities.

CVIF-DLP aligns with DepEd’s revised K to 10 curriculum and advances the country’s commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.