Iloilo City: The Department of Education (DepEd) has reported a substantial enrollment figure, with 1.037 million learners registered across all school divisions in Western Visayas, as the enrollment process remains open for late registrants.

According to Philippines News Agency, DepEd 6 (Western Visayas) information officer Hernani Escullar Jr. disclosed in a recent interview that this impressive number includes students from private schools, public schools, as well as state and local universities offering basic education. The current enrollment for the School Year 2025-2026 stands at 93.90 percent of last year's figures.

The province of Iloilo, including Passi City, recorded the highest number of enrollees at 453,560, followed by Capiz, including Roxas City, with 158,623; Antique with 145,146; Aklan with 136,555; and Guimaras with 42,576. Escullar noted that both public and select private schools are still welcoming late registrants, anticipating a rise in total enrollment numbers.

He explained that the figures are currently based on a quick count of basic education enrollment forms submitted daily by schools. Once this initial counting phase concludes, schools will encode the data into the Learner Information System to establish the official enrollment count.

Escullar encouraged parents who have not yet enrolled their children to reach out to school personnel, emphasizing that enrollment is possible even without a birth certificate at the time of registration. Schools are accepting any document that provides the child's basic information, with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) birth certificate required only by the end of the school year.

To support late enrollees in meeting academic requirements, teachers are tasked with implementing a catch-up learning plan, ensuring that all students receive the necessary educational support.