Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177639822102820260407-marcos-oil-crisis-uplift-program-PCO1 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Scenes from the Collaborative Desktop Publishing and Online Publishing categories of National Schools Press Conference in Ormoc City, Leyte. <em>📷 DepEd Philippines﻿/Facebook</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Amid rising costs driven by broader economic pressures, the Department of Education (DepEd) has scaled down key components of the 2026 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) while preserving what officials described as a “life-shaping” experience for student journalists nationwide.</p><p>Education Secretary Sonny Angara in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News said preparations for the annual gathering had long been underway, even as organizers were forced to streamline the event in response to crisis-related constraints, including increasing fuel and energy costs.</p><p>“Matagal nang pinaghahandaan ng mga schools ito, ng mga student journalists, and of course, our distinguished board of judges and resource persons. So, kasi may krisis, medyo ginawa natin simple na lang. Pero gusto talaga ng mga bata ituloy pa rin iyong event,” Angara said.</p><p>Despite the scaled-down setup, the NSPC continues to serve as the country’s premier platform for top campus journalists, bringing together regional qualifiers to compete in writing, broadcast, visual, and digital journalism categories under the theme “Mapanuri, Mapanindigan, at Mapanagutang Pamamahayag.”</p><p>The adjustments include retaining a pandemic-era format that limits each category to a single national qualifier instead of three finalists, an intentional move to reduce logistical and financial demands.</p><p>“Minana kasi natin sa COVID time to eh. Dati, pre-COVID, it was three finalists. And there was a greater participation. May clamor nga na bumalik sa three [finalists], pero sabi na next year na lang natin i-consider iyong pagbabalik sa three [finalists] dahil parang hindi bagay dito sa panahon na medyo [may] cost cutting. Then it would be more a bigger event and entail greater expense,” he explained.</p><p>Education officials said the change balances cost-efficiency with the need to sustain the prestige of the national competition, while a possible return to the three-finalist format is being considered in future editions.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/27/tinio-says-new-3-term-school-calendar-raises-teachers-eyebrows-1425">Tinio on new 3-term school calendar: &#x27;Taas ang kilay ng teachers sa field&#x27;</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>NSPC 2026 HELD IN ORMOC</strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1283258950411437%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>The 2026 NSPC is being held in Ormoc, with the local government playing a central role in ensuring readiness of venues and logistics.</p><p>Angara cited the strong collaboration between DepEd and the city government, noting that both public and private school venues were selected to provide a conducive environment for participants.</p><div> </div><div><strong>FOCUS ON TRUTH, ETHICS, AND AI</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Beyond logistics, this year’s NSPC places strong emphasis on combating misinformation and adapting journalism practices in the age of artificial intelligence.</p><p>Angara underscored the urgency of media discernment across platforms, calling it an “overarching theme” for student journalists navigating an increasingly complex information environment.</p><p>“I think it&#x27;s unavoidable to tackle the topic of fake news and being discerning in this day and age. I think that&#x27;s an overarching theme whether it&#x27;s different types of media. Iyon pa rin ang tutukan diyan. And of course, artificial intelligence I think is also a constant here. So, how do we transform the journalism practice in the age of AI, in the age of fake news,” he said.</p><p>The conference also reinforces the distinction between journalism and other forms of content creation, particularly in an era dominated by influencers and bloggers.</p><p>“Journalism has, ‘di ba, there&#x27;s the fine line with the influencers and bloggers. But journalism holds itself to higher standards of ethics and truth,” Angara said.</p><p>“I think to be considered a true journalist, hindi magbabago iyon. Even if the medium has changed, your audience has changed, how you deliver the news has changed, hindi magbabago iyong need for objective standards in truth-telling and storytelling,” he added.</p><p>This aligns with DepEd’s broader call for campus journalists to stand for truth, emphasizing their role in fact-checking and upholding credibility amid the rapid spread of information and the growing influence of AI-generated content.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/26/deped-to-co-build-ai-with-dost-vows-safeguards-vs-student-overreliance-on-ai-tools-1723">DepEd to co-build AI with DOST, vows safeguards vs student overreliance on AI generative tools</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WeWVwJw918A?si=nkB_N_FXLmRREY2_" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Amid rising costs driven by broader economic pressures, the Department of Education (DepEd) has scaled down key components of the 2026 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) while preserving what officials describe as a “life-shaping” experience for student journalists nationwide.</p>

Amid rising costs driven by broader economic pressures, the Department of Education (DepEd) has scaled down key components of the 2026 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) while preserving what officials describe as a “life-shaping” experience for student journalists nationwide.

DepEd's flagship student journalism event pushes through amid cost-cutting

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

DepEd's flagship student journalism event pushes through amid cost-cutting

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 17, 2026 12:06 PM PHT

|

Updated April 17, 2026 02:08 PM PHT

Read More:

DepEd

NSPC

Sonny Angara

Ormoc City

Campus Journalism

Education

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.