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📌 Quick Answer — DepEd Order No. 16 s. 2026 — ILAW Lesson Plan
DepEd Order No. 16, s. 2026, issued June 4, 2026, is the official DepEd policy that prescribes the ILAW lesson plan format for all public school teachers starting SY 2026–2027. It replaces DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2016 — officially retiring the DLL and DLP. ILAW stands for Intentions, Learning Experiences, Assessment, and Ways Forward.
Issued June 4, 2026 · For All Filipino Public School Teachers · SY 2026–2027
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✦ Generate ILAW Lesson Plan NowImportant: Old DLL/DLP Still Allowed During Term 1
Per DO No. 16, s. 2026 (Section 23), teachers may still use the old DLL/DLP format (DO No. 42, s. 2016) until the end of Term 1, SY 2026–2027. Full transition to the ILAW format is required starting Term 2. Use this transition period to familiarize yourself with the new ILAW template.
DepEd Order No. 16, series of 2026, issued on June 4, 2026, is the official policy that governs lesson planning in all public elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines for School Year 2026–2027. This order officially prescribes the ILAW lesson plan framework as the new standard, replacing the Daily Lesson Log (DLL) and Detailed Lesson Plan (DLP) that teachers used under DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2016.
DO No. 16 is part of a package of DepEd reforms for SY 2026–2027 that includes the shift to a three-term school calendar, the full rollout of the MATATAG Curriculum (K–10), and an updated Classroom Observation Tool (COT) aligned to the ILAW framework. It is also read together with DepEd Order No. 3, s. 2026 — the Foundational Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence in Basic Education — which officially allows teachers to use AI in lesson planning.
Single ILAW Template for All Teachers
DO No. 16 prescribes one unified lesson plan format — the ILAW template — for all public school teachers regardless of experience level. New teachers and veteran teachers alike use the same format. Schools, divisions, and regions cannot require additional forms or templates beyond the official ILAW format.
DLL and DLP Officially Retired
The Detailed Lesson Plan (DLP) and Daily Lesson Log (DLL) prescribed under DO No. 42, s. 2016 are no longer the required format. However, Section 23 of DO No. 16 gives teachers a grace period — the old formats are still accepted until the end of Term 1, SY 2026–2027.
Three-Term Calendar Alignment
Lesson plans under DO No. 16 follow the new three-term school calendar — Term 1, Term 2, and Term 3 — rather than the old semester structure (Q1–Q4). The Budget of Work (BOW) used in the Intentions section is the updated MATATAG Three-Term BOW.
AI Use in Lesson Planning is Officially Allowed
Read together with DO No. 3, s. 2026, teachers are explicitly permitted to use AI tools to help draft lesson plans, generate assessment ideas, and develop instructional content. However, the AI Declaration must be included in every lesson plan where AI was used.
Teacher Professional Judgment is Trusted
DO No. 16 explicitly repositions lesson planning as a professional instructional tool — not just paperwork. Teachers are trusted to adapt the template to their learners. Collaborative lesson planning through LAC sessions is also recognized as valid.
School Heads Cannot Demand Extra Forms
A significant provision: no school head, division office, or regional office may require additional lesson plan templates, add-on forms, or documentation beyond the official ILAW format prescribed in DO No. 16.
The ILAW framework — which means "light" in Filipino — is built around four sections that guide teachers from planning to reflection:
I — Intentions
The "what" of your lesson. Includes: Learning Competency (from the MATATAG Budget of Work), Content and Performance Standards, specific Learning Objectives, and Learner Context — your honest observations of this specific group of students, including their strengths, interests, and barriers to learning.
L — Learning Experiences
The "how" of your lesson. Includes: Pre-Lesson (review or motivation activity), Flow of activities (guided by the 8 Evidence-Based Learning Design Principles), Learning Resources, and Opportunities for Integration with other subjects.
A — Assessment
How you check if learning happened. Describes formative assessment tasks — observation, written output, oral questioning, performance tasks. Must include accommodation strategies for learners with special needs and extension tasks for advanced learners.
W — Ways Forward
What happens after the lesson. Includes Extended Learning (activities for students outside class) and Teacher Reflections — honest notes on what worked, what needs improvement, and what students are interested in exploring next.
DO No. 16, s. 2026, read together with DO No. 3, s. 2026 (Foundational Guidelines on AI in Basic Education), officially allows teachers to use AI tools for lesson planning, quiz generation, and instructional content development. This is not a loophole — it is an explicit policy permission.
However, the policy requires transparency: teachers must include an AI Declaration in any lesson plan where AI was used. This declaration states how AI was used and confirms that the teacher reviewed and adapted the output. Critically, the policy is clear that AI must not replace human judgment — core decisions like learning objectives, learner context, and teacher reflections remain the teacher's professional responsibility.
📝 Sample AI Declaration (as used in ILAW Lesson Plan AI):
"AI was used to generate the initial draft of this lesson plan using ILAW Lesson Plan AI. The teacher reviewed, verified, and adapted the content to suit the needs of the learners. Core instructional decisions — learning objectives, learner context, reflections, and AI use declaration — remain the professional responsibility of the teacher. (See DO No. 16, s. 2026, Sec. 23 & DO No. 003, s. 2026)"
The Learning Experiences section of the ILAW template is guided by 8 evidence-based Learning Design Principles. These describe what effective, learner-centered instruction looks like and should be reflected in the "Flow" of your lesson:
Learning is Active
Learners do, not just listen — activities involve participation, not passive reception.
Learning is Collaborative
Learners work with peers — group tasks, discussions, pair work.
Learning is Connected
New learning is linked to what learners already know and to real life.
Learning is Contextualized
Content is grounded in local, relevant, and meaningful situations.
Learning is Inclusive
Every learner can participate — accommodations are built in, not added after.
Learning is Reflective
Learners think about their learning — metacognitive tasks and exit activities.
Learning is Purposeful
There is a clear reason for every activity — learners understand why they are doing it.
Learning is Transformative
Learning leads to change — in thinking, values, or behavior.
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AI-powered · All grade levels and subjects · Follows DO No. 16, s. 2026 · Includes AI Declaration · Download as Word or PowerPoint
AI-generated content must be reviewed and adapted by the teacher before submission or use in class.
✦ Try Free Now❓ When does DO No. 16, s. 2026 take effect?
DepEd Order No. 16, s. 2026 was issued on June 4, 2026. It takes effect for SY 2026–2027. However, Section 23 gives teachers a grace period — the old DLL/DLP format is still accepted until the end of Term 1. Full compliance with the ILAW format is required starting Term 2.
❓ Can my school principal still require me to use the old DLL format?
Per DO No. 16, s. 2026, schools, divisions, and regions cannot require lesson plan templates, add-on forms, or documentation beyond the prescribed ILAW format. However, the old format is still accepted during the Term 1 grace period. Starting Term 2, only the ILAW format should be required.
❓ Does DO No. 16 apply to private schools?
DO No. 16, s. 2026 applies to all public elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines. Private schools are not mandated by this order, though they may voluntarily adopt the ILAW framework.
❓ Is it allowed to use AI like ILAW Lesson Plan AI under DO No. 16?
Yes. Read together with DO No. 3, s. 2026, AI use in lesson planning is explicitly permitted. You must include an AI Declaration in your lesson plan stating how AI was used. Core decisions — objectives, learner context, and reflections — must still reflect your own professional judgment.
❓ What happened to the old Detailed Lesson Plan (DLP) required for COT?
The Classroom Observation Tool (COT) has been updated for SY 2026–2027 to align with the ILAW framework. Teachers being observed for RPMS should submit an ILAW-format lesson plan, not the old DLP.
❓ Do I need to write a new lesson plan every day?
DO No. 16 positions lesson planning as a practical tool, not daily paperwork. Collaborative lesson plans written with fellow teachers through LAC sessions are recognized as valid. The ILAW template can cover multiple sessions — you do not need a separate document for every class period.
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