Doing Good While Doing Well: Philam Group institutionalizes annual donation to intensify CSR efforts

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This year, Philam Group  pledge to do more by institutionalizing its annual donation to intensify its CSR efforts.

Many companies adhere to a sense of corporate social responsibility through educational and social programs that benefit a marginalized sector of the population or the society at large. 

One of these is the Philam Group of companies, which has been a staunch advocate of the importance of giving back to the community. 

Philam Life Chief Executive Officer Aibee Cantos

“For the past 69 years of philanthropic success, we have been actively enriching the lives of Filipino families through our various CSR programs. This year, we want to do more by pledging a portion of our annual income to ensure our CSR programs continue to expand its reach and enable us to serve more communities,” Philam Life Chief Executive Officer Aibee Cantos said during the recent briefing with the press dubbed as “Doing Good While Doing Well," held at the Philam Tower, Makati City. 

The Philam Paaralan is one of the notable projects of Philam Foundation, Philam Group’s CSR arm.  Philam Paaralan aims to build classrooms in calamity-stricken areas around the country, in coordination with the Department of Education. To date, the program has constructed 101 classrooms for the past four years.

The Philam Paaralan classrooms are typhoon-resilient, fully-furnished and complete with water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities that are essential in providing schoolchildren a healthy environment conducive for learning.

The Philam Group, composed of Philam Life, BPI-Philam, and Philam Asset Management Inc., (PAMI), has pooled their combined annual donation amounting to Php31 million, which will be used to finance more Philam Paaralan classrooms and other noteworthy projects. 

A ceremonial check turnover from Philam Group to Philam Foundation was held during the event.

Also present during the event were AIA Regional CEO Gordon Watson, Philam Foundation President Max Ventura, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro, and Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc.

Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc.

In his speech, Commissioner Dooc commended the Philam Group’s selfless act of institutionalizing its annual donation that would benefit more marginalized sectors of society.

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro 

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro also gave a short message, thanking the Philam Group for being a forerunner in providing support to the education sector. The DepEd has been working closely with the Foundation in identifying schools that are most in need of new classrooms.

“Given Philam Group’s strong financial position, we want to be able to ‘do good while doing well,’ and we are happy to create a sustainable contribution to the community thorugh the Philam Paaralan programme. In line with our thrust to empower more Filipinos to live longer, healthier and better lives, we want to build more classrooms and give more children a healthy education and a better life for the future,”  said Cantos. 

For more information on Philam Life and Philam Foundation, please visit www.philamlife.com

Over 1M students enrolled in Senior HS

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At past 11am today (June 17), the Department of Education (DepEd) breached the 1 million mark reporting that 1,009,139 Grade 11 learners are now enrolled in Senior High Schools (SHS) nationwide. DepEd is expecting numbers to rise further since as of June 17, DepEd records show that over 1,600 schools are yet to submit and report their SHS enrollment data to DepEd. 

"Napatunayan ng Pilipino na handa tayo sa pagbabago. Nakatawid na tayo sa liwanag. Kaya naman pala ng Pinoy kung ating pagtutulungan," Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said.

Of the over 1M learners, around 691,000 SHS students are enrolled in public schools (DepEd-funded schools and public universities and colleges) and more than 317,000 are in private schools.

Photo : https://www.facebook.com/DepEd.Philippines/

DepEd's real time Learner Information System revealed that some 610,000 chose to take the Academic track; over 394,000 Technical-Vocational-Livelihood track; 2,728 are in Arts and Design track, and 1,537 in Sports track.

DepEd provides 184 SHS with IT equipment to support K to 12 implementation

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The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to deliver information technology (IT) equipment to stand-alone Senior High Schools (SHS) nationwide to support the implementation of the K to12 Program.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said, “What we need is to bring technology into the classroom and not be fully dependent on a textbook or the teacher. Computers will never replace teachers. Technology should allow teachers to spend more time to those who need it more.”

Each Senior High School will receive an IT equipment package which consists of 7 host personal computers (PCs), 42 terminals, 2 laptops, 2 projectors, 7 uninterruptible power supplies, 7 automatic voltage regulators and other network accessories.

In line with this, DepEd has conducted a demonstration on installation and configuration of the actual IT equipment at Pateros National High School. The event was attended by Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC and UNDP Country Director Mr. Titon Mitra.

 

“What you are seeing are digitized modules for grade 11. I’ve always dreamt that our schools should not be textbook dependent,” Luistro added.

DepEd partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to procure and deliver the IT equipment package for the schools. With its global experience and track record in co-implementing programs with governments, including implementation of Government projects using Government funds, UNDP delivers the highest standards of transparency and achieves cost efficiency and timely delivery of project outputs through more flexible procurement procedures. 

“What you’re seeing now is the fastest procurement of IT packages in a government agency. UNDP came to us as an answer to our prayer,” Luistro said.

This partnership enables DepEd to have access to its global network of service providers and experts and use available corporate and regional long-term framework agreements, which can facilitate and shorten the procurement process. 

With just 3 months of procurement, UNDP was able to award contracts for the provision of 184 ICT packages to SHS stand-alone schools within the budget provided by DepEd.

 

DepEd has started the roll out of SHS nationwide beginning with Grade 11 this school year and Grade 12 next year to complete the 12-year basic education cycle under the K to 12 Program.

Some 11, 000 public and private senior high schools nationwide opened their doors to the pioneering batch of Grade 11 students.

DepEd receives over Php 8.4M worth of donations during Brigada Eskwela Kick-off

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Private partners turn over bicycles, boats, solar-powered lamps, school supplies, and ceremonial library keys to Department of Education officials during the Brigada Eskwela kick-off program at Sta. Cruz Pingkian National High School, Nueva Vizcaya.

With the Brigada Eskwela 2016 kick-off and the preparation for the opening on June 13, various partners from the private sector donated boats, bicycles, solar-powered lamps, and school supplies that amounted to at least Php 8.4 million.

San Miguel Foundation, Inc. donated 1,000 bicycles worth Php 3,000,000 for several schools nationwide. 81 bicycles were distributed to students of Sta. Cruz Pingkian National High School, while 150 bicycles were given out to students of Kakiduguen National High School in Nueva Vizcaya.

Meanwhile, a boat was donated by Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation to ferry 24 children to and from school in a remote community in Nueva Vizcaya.

ICAD Foundation donated 1,443 solar lamps while One Meralco Foundation, Inc. donated 10,000 lamps.

The Latter Days Saint Charities likewise donated a total 2,825 solar-powered lamps worth Php 847,500.00.

In addition to these, the National Bookstore Foundation, Inc. donated an additional 5,000 sets of school supplies and also pledged to build libraries in 5 schools in Nueva Vizcaya.

The donations amounted to Php 8,397,500 benefitting thousands of students from various elementary and secondary schools.

Brigada Eskwela kick-off program

The bicycles, boats, solar lamps, and ceremonial library key were turned over to the Department of Education (DepEd) officials at Sta. Cruz Pingkian National High School, Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya, where the Brigada Eskwela 2016 natonal kick-off program was held.

Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide program that aims to bring together teachers, parents, and community members to prepare schools for the start of classes in June. 

In his welcoming remarks, DepEd Nueva Vizcaya Schools Division Superintendent Samuel Soliven expressed gratitude to all the donors “who have come here to share their resources to the last, the least, and the lost.”

DepEd Region II Regional Director Estela Carino said she is deeply thankful for giving her office the chance to hold the Brigada Eskwela kick-off program before DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC steps down as education chief.

“We have decided to hold Brigada Eskwela here in Nueva Vizcaya. Every year, we bring the national kick-off ceremonies to different regions to convey the message that Brigada Eskwela is for all,” Undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages Mario Deriquito said.

Deriquito added that, “We have been doing this for 14 years since 2003. Let us make sure that everything in our schools gets fixed... let us emphasize and give priority to safety. Let us identify the underserved schools and let us help them.”

“Brigada Eskwela is not just for schools but for the whole community,” Luistro said. 

‘Kayang kaya pa’

In a separate press conference, Luistro said that DepEd wanted to hold the Brigada Eskwela kick-off program in an indigenous community.

Sta. Cruz Pingkian National High School caters to learners from indigenous communities.

“K to 12 is about the last mile also. It’s also about non-formal education. It’s also about the IP (indigenous peoples) communities. It’s also about 6th class municipalities,” Luistro said.

“If you look at the map of where we are putting up the senior high schools, we wanted to make sure that all the way to the 6th class municipalities, there are senior high schools. The special groups that we have included in the last mile efforts—street children, those with disabilities, IP groups—they are all part of this,” he added.

“Looking at the landscape, Kayapa has the best population of all of those last milers; besides, Kayapa can also be read as ‘Kaya pa.’ Last push, kayang kaya pa,” Luistro noted.

DepEd K to 12 Law on its 3rd year anniversary

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The Department of Education (DepEd) enjoins the whole country in the observance of the 3rd year anniversary of the signing into law by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, Republic Act No. 10533, An Act Enhancing the Philippine Education System by Strengthening Its Curriculum and Increasing the Number of Years for Basic Education otherwise known as the K to 12 Law.

The K to 12 Program covers 13 years of basic education with the following stages: Kindergarten to Grade 3, Grades 4 to 6, Grade 7 to 10 (Junior High School) and Grades 11 to 12 (Senior High School). This is found to be the best period for learning under basic education. It is also the recognized standard for students and professionals globally.

The Program holds distinct significance this coming School Year 2016-2017 as the Department begins the implementation of the Grade 11 of the Senior High School (SHS) Program, the first of the 2 cohorts (Grades 11 and 12) which were added to the country's 10-year basic education system.

Recently, the Supreme Court on March 15 dismissed several petitions filed against the implementation of the K to 12 Program, thus paving the way for its continued operation particularly the said SHS Program.

As the country girds for the opening of classes this coming School Year 2016-2017 on June 13, 2016, the Department through Education Secretary Br .Armin A. Luistro FSC invites and enjoins everyone to give their full support to the successful implementation of K to 12 Program specially the SHS Program.

DepEd commends public school teachers for orderly, peaceful elections

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Department of Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC 

Department of Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC in a press briefing commended the public school teachers for their efficient and effective performance during the national and local elections.

“The teachers went out of their way to make this election generally peaceful and very orderly. Their transmission of the results is the fastest in my memory. They have proven that they can be trusted as they remained apolitical,” Luistro stressed.

He also expressed gratitude for their support, “Saludo ako at nagpapasalamat sa kaguruan. Sa palagay ko, ito na ang pinaka-successful, clean and very efficient election natin.”

Luistro reported that no untoward incidents had happened to any of the public school teachers nationwide who performed election duty.

“Ang napakagandang balita ay ang ating command center ay walang naitalang ulat ng any untoward incident especially with respect to our teachers. As of now, wala pa tayong natatalang death or injuries to our teachers,” Luistro said.

There are 409,392 DepEd personnel composed of Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEIs), Boards of Canvassers (BOCs), support staff and DepEd supervisors who served during the national and local elections.

“60% of more than 685,000 DepEd employees were part of the elections, either as BEI member, support staff or supervisor,” Luistro said.

The Comelec grants the DepEd personnel with poll duties the allowance of P4,500 for the chairman and members of the BEI; P1,500 for BEI support staff; P3,000 for DepEd supervisors and P1,500 for other support staff.

Luistro said that the public school teachers with poll duties can get their honoraria after the elections.

DepEd, MARINA tie up to offer maritime program in SHS

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The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will provide Senior High School (SHS) students with the education and training to qualify for further studies and/or career opportunities in the maritime industry upon graduating from SHS.

“The Department sees how critical the maritime industry is. It is not just about the curriculum but our competitive advantage in the world,” said Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC. 

[L-R] DepEd Assistant Secretary for Programs and Projects Elvin Ivan Uy, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Maximo Mejia Jr., PhD, Angkla Partylist Representative Jesulito Manalo, Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC, AMOSUP VAdm Eduardo Ma R. Santos, and DepEd Undersecretary for Programs and Projects Dina Ocampo at the MOA signing for the SHS maritime program. 

With the increasing demand for seafarers in the international and local maritime industry, Luistro added that the Department recognizes the need to offer a maritime specialization in SHS under the K to 12 Program. 

“We would like to thank DepEd for their support and cooperation for the maritime SHS program. With this program, we will be able to show that the Philippines is able to provide or offer highly competent, well-trained and highly qualified Filipino seafarers, who are ready for employment upon graduating from high school,” said MARINA Administrator Maximo Majima Jr., PhD.

Through the MOA, DepEd and MARINA will work together on the development and revision of the curriculum guides and instructional materials necessary for the proper implementation of the SHS maritime specialization. Both parties are also responsible for designing and implementing the said specialization in compliance with international standards in maritime education and training.

The Standards of Training and Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) convention code will be used as a basis for developing the curriculum for the maritime specialization. With this, SHS graduates of the said specialization may take the assessment for the certification of ratings. This will allow them to qualify for career opportunities in the maritime industry upon graduation and evaluation. SHS graduates may also pursue further studies in the maritime field. Given this, the country will be able to produce more seafarers at the officer level. 

“We’re very grateful to MARINA for working with us to ensure that it is not just about developing a curriculum that’s acceptable to DepEd but to the world standards of the maritime industry,” Luistro added.

DepEd: Graduation rites 2016 should be simple and non-political

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The Department of Education (DepEd) has set out the guidelines for the end of school year rites both in public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide with emphasis on simple and non-political graduation rites.

Based on DepEd Order No. 7 series of 2016, the education agency stated that all graduation ceremonies should be scheduled on or before April 1, 2016 and that the rites should be simple, solemn and meaningful events.

 “While we recognize that graduation marks a milestone in one’s life, let our focus be on our sense of community and personal responsibility as graduates whose journey in life has just begun,” Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC emphasized. 

In line with the government's austerity program, DepEd reiterates that graduation rites should be conducted without excessive spending, extravagant attire, or extraordinary venue. 

It also emphasized that non-academic projects such as attendance to field trips, film showing, junior-senior promenade and other school events should not be imposed as requirements for graduation or completion. 

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC

In public schools, graduation expenses should be charged to the school Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses under the 2016 Budget. 

“No DepEd personnel should be allowed to collect any graduation/moving up/closing ceremony fees or any kind of contribution,” Luistro said. 

Moreover, Parent-Teachers Association may give donations in cash or in kind; and that contribution for the annual yearbook, if any, should be on a voluntary basis. 

To maintain the neutrality and non-partisanship of schools, the graduation ceremonies should not be made a venue for political activity or campaigning.

 “The end of school year 2015-2016 rites should be an appropriate and solemn ceremony befitting the learners and their parents and shall not be used as a political forum,” Luistro added. 

Grade 6 learners who will complete elementary education will get their elementary certificate in a graduation ceremony. Grade 10 learners who will complete junior high school will go through a moving up or completion ceremony and get their junior high school certificate. 

Grade 12 learners from schools with DepEd-approved K to 12 transition plan; those who graduated from schools with a permit to operate Senior High School in school year 2014; and those who graduated in International Schools with K to 12 program will all get high school diploma in a graduation ceremony. 

The 2016 graduation ceremonies shall focus on the theme Kabataang Mula K to 12, Tagapagdala ng Kaunlaran sa Bansang Pilipinas. The theme highlights K to 12 Basic Education Program as a transformative vehicle for local and national development.

DepEd sets February 15 deadline for SHS Voucher Program

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The Department of Education (DepEd) has set February 15, 2016 as the deadline of application for the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program for Grade 10 completers who are not Education Service Contracting (ESC) grantees, who will pursue SHS in June 2016.

The SHS voucher program is a form of government subsidy which offers discount in school fees when a student enrolls in a private school that offers the SHS program, starting SY 2016-2017. It is intended for Grade 10 completers who wish to pursue SHS education in private high schools, local universities & colleges; state universities & colleges; and technical and vocational Schools.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said the voucher program is a support mechanism to ease the financial load of parents who will send their children to SHS.

Non-ESC students from private Junior High School (JHS) may apply for vouchers subject to an assessment of their socioeconomic status. If deemed qualified, they will also receive 80% of the voucher value.

A qualified voucher recipient who successfully enrolls in a private SHS Provider becomes a Voucher Program Beneficiary (VPB). The SHS Voucher Program will only cover two years regardless of the number of years it takes for the student to finish SHS. Vouchers are only valid if redeemed within the first semester of the school year immediately after the completion of JHS. Voucher payments will be released on a per semester basis to the SHS provider where the VPB is enrolled.

The implementation of SHS starting SY 2016-2017 completes the K to 12 curriculum which started at kinder and ends at Grade 12. Depending on their skills and inclination, Grade 10 completers can choose from four major strands namely academic, technical-vocational livelihood, sports, and arts and design.

Considered automatic beneficiaries are Grade 10 completers from public schools and those who are ESC grantees. “If you belong to these two categories, you need not apply because you are automatically covered,” Luistro said. 

Know more details about the program by visiting http://www.deped.gov.ph/k-to-12 and http://ovap.deped.gov.ph.

DepEd, Albay ink MOA for 2016 Palarong Pambansa

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The Department of Education (DepEd) signs an agreement with the provincial government of Albay—the host of the2016 Palarong Pambansa in Legazpi City—stipulating the duties and responsibilities of both parties to ensure a well-managed and professionally-run annual national sporting event.

DepEd Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said this year’s staging of the Palaro will have many “firsts.” “I want to highlight that this is Albay’s first ever hosting of the Palaro. This is also the first time that 18 regions will take action -- not the usual 17 regions --because of the participation of the Negros Island Region,” he explained.

Luistro added that this is also the first time that the Palaro will be conducted following very specific provisions of the law.”

Based on the Republic Act No. 10588 also known as the Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013, the elementary level would have to compete in 15 games and the secondary with 17 games and four (4) demonstration sports, namely Futsal, Wushu, Billiards and Wrestling. In addition, four special games will also be conducted for our special athletes.

Participated in by elementary and secondary students from public and private schools nationwide, the annual sporting event will be held at the Bicol University, Legazpi City from April 10 to 16, 2016.

“We are institutionalizing this sports program to ensure that we are developing athletes that are of international caliber,” Luistro pointed out. Together with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the provincial government of Albay, DepEd will see to it that the standards are at international level and that the coaching staff, the technical officials as well as the playing venues conform to international standards,” the education chief said.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda responded by stating the province’s readiness and eagerness to host the Palaro.

“We want to show that it will be a joyful Palaro. It's something that celebrates the spirit of national unity, especially in Albay. Siguro kung mayroon isang bagay to define Albay, it is our resiliency or ability to recover from adversity—na kahit may bagyo ngayon, paggising mo kinabukasan, ni-isang pirasong kahoy wala kang makikita sa daan. Gusto naming ipakita na ang isang bayan, no matter how modest, no matter how limited its capacity, will still have the unity and ability to host the Palaro,” Salceda shared.

Youth initiatives on education heard at SEAMEO Innotech 14th International Conference

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Delegates with High Officials: Participants and High Officials of the 2015 SEAMEO Innotech 14th International Conference. 

SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO Innotech) held its 14th International Conference focusing on empowering Southeast Asian learners by further addressing the Education For All (EFA) goals to provide an avenue for the voices of young people of Southeast Asian nations, the

In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the two-day conference gave an opportunity for some 150 youth leaders and educators from 15 different countries to discuss key issues on development agenda for education, especially for the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration. The participants’ final outputs were presented to the Council of Ministers of Education and SEAMEO high officials.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC responded by encouraging the young participants to serve their communities in order to achieve reform progress of the ASEAN, as well as on a global scale.

Luistro with Delegates: DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC responds to the issues raised on education youth agenda.

“ASEAN is a reality today. Therefore, we could actually paint a picture where there are more countries where young people and old people can go visit each other’s country and feel that we are one family. If that were so, the question for you is: 'What are you ready to give up in order to be part of this new community and what will you wish you retain?’ We'll have to live with that anxiety and reality that if we want to be a community, we have to struggle daily with what your identity is and what you are willing to give up to be ASEAN,” said Luistro.

National Youth Commission (NYC) Assistant Secretary Earl Saavedra said the conference is very timely as the Philippines is going to chair the ASEAN by 2017 and will need the participation of the young people on convergence platforms and opportunities for growth and development of each of their respective localities.

“From our end, it is very important that you were able to touch on the importance on the role of the youth in the emerging ASEAN integration. The Philippine government and the National Youth Commission is in the process of conceptualizing the ASEAN communications master plan for the youth, and the next steps would be the conceptualization of the ASEAN Youth Situationer, which should be backed up by the ASEAN Youth Development Index. Your output will help us brainstorm how we could move forward and make things happen,” Saavedra stated.

Dr. Steve Anzalone, Senior Vice President for Asia of the Education Development Center (EDC) encouraged the youth to act as catalysts issues that they are passionate about.

“Part of being a youth is being rebellious. As youth, you've got to rebel a little bit against the existing order or there will never be any sort of change that will take place. If there is a sense of where we could altogether rebel a little bit, there is a wonderful and beautiful set of principles that will start,” Anzalone said. 

The conference focused on the youth and their reflections on improving the quality education in the region. One of which is capacitating individuals with leadership skills. Luistro instead challenged the delegates to go where the crisis is so that they will discover their own leadership from within. 

The education chief said, “Leadership is tested when you move out from your comfort zone and face the reality out there. During the worst typhoon that hit the Philippines and one of the worst recorded in history: Typhoon Yolanda. We never knew that there were so many leaders on the ground. Leaders emerge during times of crisis. The question is, 'Are you still preparing today so that you will acquire leadership skills?' or ‘When you go back to your locality, whether you're from Brunei, Malaysia, Cambodia, Mindanao, what are your steps to make a change there and what are you willing to invest to make that change possible?’” 

“The world will not change just by coming up with a recommendation that somebody else or the government will implement. We must empower young people as ordinary citizens to do it for us and for themselves,” Luistro added. 

DepEd holds National K to 12 Conference

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“If yesterday I was celebrating with you what we have done, today I stand with great pride telling myself, "Ang sarap maging Pilipino. Pero mas masarap maging DepEd." Never in my life can I say that with conviction.” --- Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC 

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said during the culmination of the first National K to 12 Conference held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), December 4.

The two-day conference gathered together almost 1,000 participants from DepEd regional and division offices nationwide to report the progress of various strategies employed for the promotion and implementation of the K to 12 Program, specifically the Senior High School (SHS), in their respective areas.

(R-L) Reaffirmation of Commitment. Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC, Undersecretary Dina Ocampo, Undersecretary Reynaldo Laguda, Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, and Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera together with DepEd officials nationwide pledged continued commitment in ensuring that no child shall be left behind.

During the conference, the participants provided updates on the region and division’s efforts in gearing up for the nationwide implementation of SHS come 2016. 

Among the strategies highlighted in Luistro’s synthesis were the K to 12 caravans and unique approaches such as Teaching Strategy Festivals and Heroic Mobile Advocacy.

Luistro lauded the efforts of the all DepEd field offices in ensuring that no child shall be left behind. He said that because of the commitment of its education leaders nationwide, over “1.1 million Filipinos have included in their dreams a way of upgrading themselves” and pre-registered for the SHS in 2016.

“I told myself our DepEd leaders have now taken it unto themselves to take care of every learner. Wala na po malaking divide between public or private, nasa bayan o nasa bundok. You took care of all of them. You went out of your way, you went out of your Queendoms and your Kingdoms, and your Hives, so that you can promote and let people understand what K to 12 is all about,” he added.

The conference also provided an opportunity for education leaders to share good practices in building and strengthening partnerships with different organizations and institutions for the implementation of the SHS program.

“The solution to many of our nation's problems is in DepEd. You are the key players in changing the direction of where our country will go. You have proven that to yourselves, you have proven that to the country. You have shown that leadership is possible and that your leadership is credible,” he said.

“I prayed for a change of heart in DepEd and I realized, when I went through what you shared the past two days, that you have actually changed the image, the heart, and the culture within the Department. In fact, you have brought together, from limited resources, many initiatives that in the past I did not imagine DepEd is ready and willing to do,” Luistro said.

DepEd, IP groups strengthen commitment to Indigenous Peoples education

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Baguio City—The Department of Education (DepEd) and indigenous peoples (IP) groups nationwide gathered together today, November 12, to strengthen partnership for IP education (IPEd) through the symbolic signing of affirmation of commitment.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said, “Ang ating ipinagdiriwang ngayon ay isang lakbayin na hindi pa tapos. Hindi ito madali dahil kailangan nating umakyat, at sa ating pag-akyat, walang maiiwan. Kailangan sabay-sabay, tulung-tulong at walang bibitiw para masigurado natin na ang ating inumpisahan ay matatapos.”

Inauguration of a pakedlan at the Baguio Teachers Camp with Indigenous elders and other community representatives. 

“Kailangan nating siguraduhin na buhay ang katutubong kaalaman sa loob ng sistema ng edukasyon,” he added.

Part of the affirmation of commitment to IPEd is the inauguration of a pakedlan, an indigenous space for coming together among the Kankanaey peoples of Benguet, at the Baguio Teachers Camp, where a ritual was conducted together with the IP community representatives from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to culminate the gains of IPEd. The inauguration of a pakedlan symbolizes the recognition of indigenous learning systems within the education system.

Luistro also said that the gains of IPEd are not DepEd’s milestones alone, adding, “Ang tatlong DepEd Orders ukol sa IP education ay galing sa inyo [IP]. Ang sumulat niyan ay kayo. Ang IP education guidelines at curriculum framework ay galing sa sama-samang mungkahi at karanasan [ninyo] sa mga nakalipas na taon ng pagsusulong ng IP education.”

Andres Ngao-i, chairperson of IPEd council of elders in the Cordillera Administration Region, said that DepEd’s commitment to IPEd is evident in the agency’s efforts to make education culture-sensitive, culture-responsive, and learner-centered.

“We are all happy that we are true to our IP curriculum; but we did not do it alone. We did this in partnership with DepEd and the local government units, too,” Ngao-i said. He also added, “Our job is not yet done. Let us continue the implementation of this historic Indigenous Peoples education. This is historical in our regions and our country.”

Luistro said that it is vital for the country to strengthen its IP education, especially with the 2015 ASEAN integration, adding:

“Mahalaga na naka-angkla ang ating kurikulum sa ating kulturanng Pilipino dahil may papasok na ibang kultura. Kapag wala ang katutubong kaalaman na nakapasok sa ating kurikulum, mawawalan tayo ng kaluluwa.”

Albay to host 2016 Palarong Pambansa

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Legazpi City, Albay will host the Palarong Pambansa 2016. After careful deliberation and tedious evaluation by officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Albay won the bid over Tuguegarao City, Cagayan–its only competitor for the annual national games.

Before announcing the results of the vote, Education Secretary Br Armin Luistro FSC asked both provinces to continue supporting the agency’s sports development program, saying,

"Sana ipagpatuloy po ninyo ang inyong naka-atas na mga programa para sa sports sa inyong probinsiya at sana makasama pa po kayo ng DepEd at ng PSC doon sa iba pang sports events. Mayroon po tayong Batang Pinoy, Philippine National Games, at iba pang programa.”

The final choice was made based on voting results by the Palarong Pambansa Board chaired by Education Secretary Armin Lusitro, along with the Palaro committee, approved the proposal of the Palaro, which would be held from April 15 to 22.

“We reviewed the recommendations from the regions and had our own deliberations. We went through billeting, facilities, your presentations, including readiness of our regions, as well as other considerations that are specific to 2016. Ang nanalo po with a very, very slim margin is Albay” Luistro declared.

Before the bidding and official presentations of the two provinces, DepEd and PSC technical officials inspected each venue last June to see if the facilities and billeting areas are adequate.

PSC Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez presented to the body the rating system used which included international standards, distance from the main complex, power supply, and security, among others.

DepEd’s Schools Sports Events and Activities Unit Head Cesar Abalon reported on the status of the billeting areas, which are evaluated based on the sufficiency of rooms, bathrooms, kitchen areas and medical provisions.

With a budget of P300M, Albay Governor Joey Salceda assured the Palarong Pambansa Board that Albay has the equipment and resources needed to construct and repair its sports facilities and playing venues as soon as possible.

DepEd showcases conservation of heritage schools

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(Photo : http://heritagefestival.ph/)

The Department of Education (DepEd) continues its efforts in the conservation of the Gabaldon and heritage school buildings recognizing its significant part in the history of Philippine education. 

DepEd Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that the conservation of the heritage schools is important in bringing consciousness and awareness on the rich culture of the country, saying, “Education is about connecting with the stories of the past. Education is about passing on the core values and knowledge of the past.”

“Almost every school division has an old school building that brings with it many stories of the past. Many parts of our history are conjoined with these campuses and school buildings,” he added. 

In 2013, DepEd released the guidelines on the implementation of the conservation of Gabaldon and other heritage school buildings in the country. Since then, the Department has started compiling a comprehensive listing and mapping of the heritage schools. 

To date, there are reportedly 1,446 Gabaldon heritage school buildings all over the country. Many of them are now over a hundred years old and are considered part of the country’s heritage. It was in these schools that the public education system in the Philippines was born. 

The Gabaldon school buildings were named after the late lawmaker Isauro Gabaldon, who authored Republic Act 1801, which appropriated one million pesos for the construction of school buildings in every municipality in the country.

The education chief said that restoration of the heritage schools is not DepEd’s project alone, adding that while the government will work on the most urgent projects of restoration, DepEd needs the help of the whole community in this endeavor. 

“In cooperation with various government agencies, DepEd would like to make sure that the remaining heritage school sites continue to be part of what our nation will be proud of decades later.”

DepEd is showcasing its heritage conservation program through a photo series of Gabaldon and heritage schools at the Manila Art 2015 from October 8 to 11, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura.

DepEd celebrates teachers as living heroes, culminates World Teachers’ Day

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Recognizing the vital contribution of Filipino teachers in institutionalizing educational reforms in the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) and its partners celebrated this year’s World Teachers’ Day (WTD) at Araullo University in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija on October 5. 

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC emphasized the great responsibility of every teacher in preparing the Filipino youth to be better equipped for the world. He said, “If all the teachers in the country start to move as one, we will start the biggest revolution in education.”

“The revolution in education is a revolution that will change the country and bring about all of the dreams and hopes of our young people... If you want to transform our country, we need living heroes,” he added.

Themed as “My Teacher, My Hero,” this year’s celebration highlighted the integral role of educators as prime movers and catalysts to extend the last mile efforts of DepEd and the K to 12 education reform for the delivery of quality education.

The event which gathered around 4,000 public school teachers from Regions I, II, III, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) culminated the month-long celebration to express the education agency’s sincere gratitude for teachers’ important role in institutionalizing the reform efforts of the Department.

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared September 5 to October 5 every year as National Teachers’ Month (NTM) through Presidential Proclamation 242 signed in 2011.

“I will give my life for children”—Luistro

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Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC 

“I can say with all sincerity: I will give my life for children.”

This is what Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said when he was asked if the Department of Education (DepEd) can protect the students from armed conflicts during the deliberation of the 2016 proposed budget for the Department of Education at the House of Representatives.

Luistro said, “Without any second thoughts, a teacher's first move is to protect children.” The education chief reiterated that all schools are zones of peace, adding that education and children should not be casualties in any conflict nor be subjected to any form of violence.

With the continued investment of the government in basic education, DepEd continues to strengthen education reforms to ensure a safer and learner-centered education for Filipino children.

In line with this, DepEd has adopted a comprehensive Child Protection Policy that enshrines the universal rights of the child and condemns any form of threat against children in schools. In 2014, DepEd trained over 1,100 national trainers in child protection policy. Guidelines and procedures on the management of Children-At-Risk and Children in Conflict with the Law was also released by the department this year.

Providing more access to hard-to-reach learners through the Abot-Alam Program, Special Education, and Indigenous Peoples’ Education (IPed) is among the agency’s last mile efforts.

As of the first quarter of 2015, among those who enrolled are 30% of the 2.67 million out-of-school youth (OSY) mapped. To date, there are 1.2 million IP learners and 470,276 Alternative Learning

Empowering schools and education leaders for continued reforms

Luistro said that there has been a 110% increase in the education budget from 2009 to 2015—from P174.5 billion to P367.1 billion. He said, “We will always endeavor to make sure that every cent is spent for the rightful purpose.”

DepEd sustains the foundations of reforms by empowering not only the learners but also DepEd teachers and personnel, and public schools nationwide through various programs that aim to improve learning, curriculum delivery and processes.

DepEd has achieved a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:36 for elementary public schools and 1:27 in secondary schools in 2015. It has also proposed the creation of over 60,000 teacher items for 2016.

Education leadership and management is strengthened through the Superintendents’ Leadership Program (SLP) having trained 218 Superintendents and other school officials deployed in 174 Division Offices across all 17 Regions.

DepEd is also enhancing its curriculum delivery and organizational processes in response to continuous engagement from learners and key stakeholders through the implementation of the Continuous Improvement Program (CIP).

DepEd statement on the occasion of World Indigenous Peoples’ Day

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The Department of Education is one with the indigenous peoples and the rest of the nation in celebrating the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9, 2015.

DepEd remains steadfast in its commitment to provide access to an inclusive and culture-based education to every indigenous learner in the country through continued efforts in enhancing the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) Program and strengthening the capacity of our public schools and learning programs to deliver such services.

Recognizing the right of indigenous peoples to culturally rooted and responsive basic education, DepEd has recently adopted the Indigenous Peoples Education Curriculum Framework (DepEd Order No. 32, s. 2015), which seeks to provide guidance to schools and other education programs as they engage with indigenous communities in contextualizing the K to 12 curriculum based on their respective educational and social contexts.

Together with our indigenous communities, DepEd renews its call to all education stakeholders to support the continuous transformation of our education system into one that truly recognizes and celebrates cultural diversity.

We remain faithful to our vow that no child shall be left behind in education.

DepEd, educ stakeholders team up for K to 12 full implementation in QC

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The local government of Quezon City and education stakeholders from different sectors gathered together for the Senior High School (SHS) summit on the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track with Information Technology (IT) as the focus industry yesterday. 

Education Secretary Armin Luistro FSC lauded the efforts of the city to ensure that the TVL curriculum is both aligned with students’ interests and contextualized to satisfy employment demands within the vicinity. 

“It is always a pleasure to be able to witness school stakeholders, the local government and various private-sector partners come together to create effective education programs for the benefit of our learners. Quezon City has always been proactive in engaging the academic community. I pray that their efforts will remain steadfast beyond 2016,” he said.

Luistro underscored that the K to 12 Program equips Filipinos with 21st century skills that will enable them to be prepared for employment, higher education, and skills development, thereby, empowering them to be nation-builders. 

“The goal of education is to empower our youth to become the primary movers of social change. Coming up with immersive policies to teach IT will shape communities able to manipulate technology to address bigger social issues and improve the Filipinos’ quality of life,” he added.

Reaching the ‘last mile’

The education chief stressed that DepEd continues its last mile efforts in delivering quality education to the Filipino children living in areas where access remains a challenge. 

“We have a multitude of programs to ensure that no one is left behind. We have Kariton Klasrum that aims to encourage street children to participate in the learning experience anywhere in the streets. We also have the Abot Alam program, which aims to enlist out-of-school youth and secondary education undergraduates into the public school system by offering courses fit to match their interests and existing skills. And for SPED, we are honing their capacities by constantly encouraging them and the learning community to participate in mainstreaming programs. These programs are not only set to run next year, they are, in fact, already in place and in full effect,” he said. 

He also added that there has been a significant increase of children participating in the formal school system over the years. “The number of OSYs greatly diminished. In 2008, there are 2.9-million OSYs that make up 11.7% of the entire population. This decreased to 1.2-million or 5.2% in 2013,” he explained.

To address the growing enrollment in Quezon City, the DepEd has filled a total of 2,685 teacher items from 2010 to 2014. The Department will also build 47 senior high schools where 31 will be from existing junior high school sites, while the remaining 16 will be new and stand alone.

Multi-sectoral commitment to education reforms

In his opening remarks, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista pledged to come up with different facilities and means to provide for the requirements of the K to 12 tracks their city will offer. 

“Ours is a young and vibrant city with the biggest promise to be at the forefront of academic reforms. Today, we come together as one city to take the lead in supporting Sec. Luistro and Pres. Aquino’s greatest legacy to the Filipino youth,” he said.

Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte also shared the benefits of K to 12 in saying that the program will produce a well-rounded citizenry dedicated to uplifting the values of academic excellence and nationalism, adding, “Senior High School students will be better prepared for their tertiary education and will be much more competitive when seeking employment both here and abroad. All this for the development of a strong and unified nation,” she said.

Australian Embassy First Secretary Nigel Bruce praised the continued friendship and cooperation between Australia and the Philippines, “Our nations have always been partners in education and social development. In fact, this is not the first commitment Australia is signing in support of K to 12. We currently have the Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) Program and the Philippines’ Response to Indigenous Peoples’ and Muslim Education (PRIME) to name a few.”

Founded in San Francisco, USA, the Asia Foundation has also been an unwavering partner in reform efforts of the government not just in education. “We have partnered with the Philippine government in good governance initiatives, disaster response and the Mindanao peace process. You may expect that our level of support to K to 12 will be as faithful and unrelenting as our previous partnerships,” said Deputy Country Representative Maribel Buenaobra. 

“We are, first and foremost, educators; and as educators, we do not give up. Trust that we will continue to support education reform efforts,” she added.

DepEd launches the first Tboli Senior High School

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Lake Sebu, South Cotabato—After extensive consultations and planning with the indigenous peoples’ community, local government, and education partners, the Department of Education (DepEd) established the first Tboli Senior High School.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said, “This is the first of its kind. We endeavored to make sure that the curriculum as well as its [senior high school] offerings are in line with Indigenous Peoples culture and language. Ang eskwelahan dapat ang link between culture and development.”

He said, “Ito po ang kauna-unahang Senior High School na sinikap ng DepEd—kasama ang Ateneo de Davao—na kunsultahin at pakinggan ang mga hinaing at mga pangarap ng ating mga katutubo.”

He emphasized the need of the education system to be inclusive and centered on the needs and context of the learners, saying, “We are a nation in search of who we are. Until we are able to return to the roots of our indigenous peoples, we will never be able to find our soul.”

“If we are serious about being learner-centered, we should also be serious about being culturally sensitive,” Luistro added.

Luistro also dedicated the launching of the Tboli Senior High School to the late Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee Lang Dulay, saying that “we need to understand and to nurture of our culture so that the works of Lang Dulay will not be lost with her and that we can pass on her dreams and arts to the next generation.”

Tboli Senior High School (TSHS), which will be initially lodged at Lake Sebu National High School with approximately 45 students for its early implementation of Grade 11 in SY 2015-2016, will be offering technical-vocational track, focusing on Sustainable Community Resources Management with two options: Agriculture and Ecotourism.

Active engagement of the indigenous community

Datu Benito Blonto, chair of the Municipal Tribal Council of Lake Sebu, said that proper consultations and coordination with the parents and students in the Tboli community, Lake Sebu NHS, and other education stakeholders have been crucial in creating the program.

Through consultations with Tboli elders, teachers, parents, students, and other education stakeholders, TSHS came up with its aspirations for its students that seek to uphold, preserve, and promote the Tboli cultural identity through an inclusive, participative, environmentally-friendly, and quality culture-based education.

Blonto said the program will be beneficial to the students, adding, “Pagkatapos nila sa K to 12, makakapasok sila sa employment dahil may skills and qualifications na sila. Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, ide-develop natin ang skills ng mga estudyante base sa kultura. Sasanayin sila sa ecotourism at paggamit ng resources na mayroon sa lugar.”

The program intends to create graduates who are capable of developing and managing their own resources, creating sustainable livelihood and opportunities for the Tboli community, where the school is situated. Through the program, graduates will be equipped with entrepreneurial and management skills to prepare them for small-scale business ventures or communal cooperative management.

The development of the TSHS is an initiative being undertaken by DepEd in partnership with Ateneo de Davao University, particularly in the areas of curriculum development, teacher training and mentoring, and research.