MANILA, Dec. 2 -- The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday recorded a significant 289 percent increase in its procurement of textbooks for public schools over the past year.

In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the agency's milestone is part of the immediate reforms aimed at ensuring quality education for learners in the Philippines.

"Hindi pwedeng kulang-kulang ang hawak ng mga guro at bata (The materials held by teachers and learners should not be incomplete)," Angara said.

"Kung gusto nating umangat ang kalidad ng pag-aaral, dapat kompleto, tama, at napapanahon ang materyales na dumarating sa mga paaralan (If we want to elevate the quality of learning, there must be complete, right, and timely materials coming in ...