Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) has partnered with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK FCDO) to promote safer, more accessible transport options for students and educators through the Senate-DepEd (SEED) Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Project. The initiative, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, aims to redevelop the 14-hectare DepEd Complex in Taguig City into a modern "Education City" anchored around the upcoming Senate-DepEd railway station.

According to Philippines News Agency, this station will connect two of the country's biggest infrastructure projects-the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway Project. 'This partnership ensures that our learners and educators will also directly benefit from a well-planned, green, and safe environment that ultimately contributes to the public education objectives,' Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement.

The envisioned hub will feature eco-friendly buildings, open spaces, housing for teachers, and training facilities. The UK FCDO pledged to bring in British expertise to support sustainable and resilient urban design. A joint working group will oversee the project's second phase, which includes technical studies and concept development, subject to approval of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development.

The TOD is also expected to provide long-term funding for classroom construction and DepEd's digital transformation.