English: During the deliberations on the proposed DepEd budget for 2023, Gatchalian emphasized the need to secure funding for ALS. He pointed out how ALS became a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged lack of face-to-face classes in the Philippines. Based on DepEd data as of March 14 this year, there were 472,869 learners enrolled in ALS for School Year 2021-2022, 38% lower compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Filipino: Sa pagtalakay ng panukalang budget ng DepEd para sa taong 2023, binigyang diin ni Gatchalian ang pangangailangan ng ALS ng kaukulang pondo. Aniya, malaking dagok ang dinanas ng ALS dahil sa epekto ng pandemya ng COVID-19 tulad ng kawalan ng face-to-face classes sa bansa. Batay sa datos ng DepEd noong nakaraang Marso 14, 472,869 ang mga nag-enroll sa ALS para sa School Year 2021-2022, mas mababa ng 38% kung ihahambing sa bilang na naitala bago ang pandemya.