PMA entrance exam set on August 29
San Fernando City, Pampanga (26 August) — The Annual Entrance Examination for all applicants who dream of joining the Philippine Military Academy, the premier military institution of the country will be conducted simultaneously in 35 examination centers nationwide on Sunday, August 29.
Although the cut-off date for the submission of application was last August 21, walk-in applicants will be accepted. They are required to bring a true copy of their High School Form 137, authenticated or NSO copy of birth certificate and 2″ x 2″ ID picture with white background.
The examination permits were sent through mail to the address reflected by the applicants in their application forms and also can be verified at the venue during the examination.
The examination will cover the following subjects: Algebra and Geometry, Grammar and Composition, Reading and Comprehension, Verbal and Numerical Reasoning and Pattern Analysis.
Once an applicant passed, he or she is expected to report to the PMA on April 1, 2011. Upon graduation from the PMA, cadets will be conferred the degree of Bachelor of Science with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
Major General Gaudencio, Commander of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), himself a graduate of PMA Class 1979 said this is a rare privilege for the youths to join the noble profession of arms and be a part of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy or Philippine Air Force. Those who will pass the stringent examinations will receive stipend while having a free college education in the academy.
The PMA testing centers in Northern and Central Luzon are located in the following areas: Baguio City (PMA), Laoag City (Northwestern University), Dagupan City (Dagupan National High School), Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (Saint Mary’s University), Tuguegarao City (Cagayan National High School), Cabanatuan City (Araullo University), Tarlac City (Tarlac State University), and the City of San Fernando, Pampanga (Heroes Hall Bldg). (NOLCOM thru PIA 3)
DOST Abra urges applicants to Philippine Science High School
by Maritess Beñas
Bangued, Abra (21 August) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is urging school teachers and parents of qualified pupils to file their application now for entrance examination to the Philippine Science High School (PSHS).
Qualified applicants are Grade 6 pupils who belong to the upper 10% of the current class and do not have a grade lower than 80. If the pupils do not belong to the upper 10% of the class abut have special aptitude in Science and Math and 80 in all other subjects, they are still qualified to take the entrance test.
Applicants must be born on or after June 1, 1996, must be in good health to undergo a rigorous academic program, and must not have taken the PSHS national entrance examination previously.
Pupils from the private schools are required to pay a non-refundable testing fee of P100.00.
The examination will be on November 6, 2010.
Application forms are available at the DOST Offices in the Provincial Capitol Annex Building in Bangued and at the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST) Lagangilang Campus, and at the Philippine Information Agency, also at Provincial Capitol Annex Building in Bangued. Forms can also be downloaded at the DOST website www.pshs.edu.ph.
For some months now, announcements regarding the application for the to the PSHS had been going on air over the local radio here, yet not a single application has been filed.
Meanwhile, consultants of the DOST-CA R visited four business firms in the province that are being assisted by the DOST. They are now in the process of finalizing the good manufacturing practices and improving the productivity, sanitation and food safety of the businesses. These firms are the Talledo Miki Commercial, producer of veggie noodles in Dolores; Lexan Delicacies, producer of the famous Bangued crackers and other processed foods in Bangued; A & C, the makers of muscuvado and other sugarcane-based products in Bangued; and the Jaydines Panciteria in San Juan.
Buenafe also trained the beneficiaries of the Self-Employment Association Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) last August 19 on Product Development. Said training is a necessary component of the social preparation for the SE-K beneficiaries before they are given loans for their micro-enterprise projects. (PIA-Abra)
DepEd celebrates Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa
Pasig City (1 August) — The Department of Education joins the country in celebrating Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa this August which gives special focus on the promotion of the national language and environmental protection.
“The department is in full agreement with the chosen theme which highlights two very important concerns of our time, the flourishing of a national language and increasing awareness on environmental issues,” said DepEd Chief Br. Armin Luistro FSC.
Luistro added that celebrating the Buwan ng Wika yearly unites us as one unique race, saying, “our national language defines us as a nation.”
Several sub-themes are lined-up for the month-long celebration of our national language. On August 1-7, the celebration will be guided by the topic, “Wika’y Kailangan sa Pandaigdigang Impormasyon sa Pangangalaga sa Kalikasan”. On the other hand, on August 8-14, it will be “Wika’y Instrumento sa Pagpapalaganap ng Kamalayan sa Pagbabago ng Kalikasan”.
Moreover, “Wika’y Mabisang Susi sa Edukasyong Pangkalikasan” will be the topic on August 15-21 while “Ang Pagpapahalaga sa Wika at Pangangalaga sa Kalikasan ay Pagmamahal sa Inang Bayan” will be on August 22-28.
Laslty, on August 29-30, it will be “Wika’t Kalikasan Mahalin at Pangalagaan, Biyaya ng Poong Maykapal sa Bayan”.
Luistro encourages the active participation of everyone in this national undertaking. “I encourage the whole community, especially the youth, to join us in enriching our national language as we also unite to be responsible individuals who are truly mindful of what we do everyday to protect the environment,” added Luistro.
The celebration will include specific activities that will display our love for our language and for our environment. Some of these will be a seminar-workshop to tackle urgent environmental issues using our national language, dialogues between schools and local government units, art/poster-making contests which focus on the protection of the environment, forum and coordination with DENR officials on their environmental protection programs, and film showing about climate change.
Students may also participate in plays that show the relationship between man and nature, and debate on the effects of industrialization on the environment using Filipino as medium.
Moreover, teachers will be expected to discuss in class the importance of the Filipino language in understanding climate change. (DepEd)
TESDA provides scholarships to 5,000 poor students
Pagadian City (27 July) — Underprivileged students who cannot afford to pursue formal college education can now avail of scholarship programs of the government thru the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA).
This was learned from TESDA Provincial Director Eulalio B. Lumactod who said 4,613 scholarships will be given to poor but deserving students. Since 2006 to date, TESDA has provided different scholarships to students in the province to help uplift their living conditions by landing jobs after graduation and apply the skills they have learned from the training.
Lumactod said the scholarship programs offered are from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA), Ladderized Education Program (LEP), ICARE, PGMA-Training for Work Scholarship Program (PGMA-TWSP), and Arabic Language Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) of the Department of Education.
He further said there are available slots for the ICARE and TWSP but they are awaiting for the final approval of the qualification map and the availability of the coupons to be issued from the central office.
Meanhwile, Lumactod gave his reaction regarding the order of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy? Aquino III to newly-appointed TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva to provide more scholarships to high school students. He said he was happy on the latest development to give opportunities to poor students to enjoy free college education and avail of scholarships offered by their office.
Lumactod however, is optimistic that during this year?s scholarship programs, there will be changes in its implementation scheme under the new leadership of President Aquino. (PIA9, Pagadian City)
DepEd prepares for AH1N1 in schools
Pasig City (22 July) — Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC has instructed all school officials to take necessary measures to prevent the possible occurrence of Influenza A(H1N1) which becomes prevalent at the onset of the rainy season.
The Department of Education (DepEd), through DepEd Memorandum No. 315 series of 2010, has lined up precautionary measures to prepare the schools in the event of break-out. “We call on the parents, students, teachers, and school officials to be mindful of their health, take extra precaution, and to be watchful for any symptoms pointing to AH1N1,” said Luistro.
Luistro has instructed all school officials to maintain sanitation in school premises and directed school health officials to conduct information dissemination campaign so that students and the community will know what A (H1N1) virus is, and what the community can do to prevent it.
“The safety of the students, officials and personnel should always be on top of our concerns. While the government was able to contain A (H1N1) last year, it nevertheless resulted to many class days missed by students. “This year, we should not let it stop our school operations, instead, we should be ready to do our part in controlling the spread of the virus,” stressed Luistro.
DepEd has also issued guidelines on the implementation of Preventive Alert System in Schools (PASS), a systematic relay of information on the child’s or teacher’s state of health to medical personnel/agencies in the locality which all school heads should follow.
Under PASS, pupils/students will observe the well-being of their own classmates and to report if someone among them is not feeling well or has colds/cough or fever. If confirmed, the principal shall notify the family/guardian of the sick child. If the school does not have a physician, the nearest health center physician/municipal health officer or rural health worker shall be consulted.
Also, school heads are directed to closely coordinate with the barangay health workers and municipal health officers for updates if there is an occurrence of infectious diseases in the community. They shall also conduct daily monitoring of health status of children and personnel and maintain a record of it.
School principals are expected to take the lead in implementing PASS and to relay relevant/urgent information to the Schools Division Superintendent (SDS). The SDS shall a give report to the Office of the Secretary.
“With everyone’s support, we can make our schools a safe environment for learning,” said Luistro. (DepEd)
Educators honor PGMA
Manila (25 June) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was honored yesterday by the country’s biggest organization of private schools with a testimonial event in Malacanang during which her support to the country’s private education sector was highlighted.
The umbrella-group Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAPSCU) also thanked the outgoing Chief Executive for including the private education in her priority programs.
“When you made the pronouncement that the Filipino nation should take advantage of the flatness of the world and move into the first world in 20 years and created the Presidential Task Force for Education (PTFE) to assess, plan and monitor the entire educational system, making a firm commitment to truly improve the educational system towards producing a globally-competitive workforce, nurturing the future leaders of our nation and thereafter adopting the recommendations and action plan for the implementation of the Philippine Main Education Highway, Your Excellency reminded us that the human mind is the nation’s fundamental resource and that our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education,” the PAPSCU said in a certificate of recognition given to the President.
The certificate was signed jointly by Jose Paulo E. Campos, PAPSCU president; Alejandro Escano, vice president of the Technical Vocational Schools Associations of the Philippines (TEVSAPHIL); Vicente Fabella, president of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU) and; Daniel Dial, president of the Association of Christian Schools Colleges and Universities (ACSCU).
Summing up its role in the country’s education sector, PAPSCU officials said that private education helps enrich democracy. And they added they were gratified by the President’s support to private education.
“Unlike its public counterpart, private education rarely developed according to a national plan where there is a dominant blueprint for forms, structures, pursuits and policies. Nobody can safely predict the total shape of private education in the future, or its size. And variation not only enhances the public-private partnership in education, it also enriches democracy,” the manifesto said.
The President was then handed the plaque of recognition for the “education legacy you left the Filipino people. Thank you for this and we hope you continue to support private education and consider it a priority of your legislative agenda,” the manifesto said. (PIA-MMIO)
Eagle Quiz’s 20th year continues to charm studes
Legazpi City (25 June) — The premier environmental quiz challenge, the Eagle Quiz, in the country continues to charm elementary and high school students evident of the significant increase in the number of participants since the project’s inception in 1990.
Now on its 20th year, the Eagle Quiz, will be spearheaded anew by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) regional office here for the provincial and regional finals this June in line with the Environment Month celebration, DENR-EMB Regional Director Gilbert Gonzales said.
“The EQC continues to draw support from participants and cooperators region wide, as only environmental quiz challenge in the country every year it draws an increasing number of contestants from the six provinces,” Gonzales revealed.
DENR Bicol is optimistic of a continuing success in the coming years through the support and cooperation of all the field offices, the major sponsors, the Energy Development Corporation, UNOCAL Philippines, Inc. (formerly known as Philippine Geothermal Inc.) co-sponsored by the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines-Bicol chapter (PCAPI-V), all the participating schools and students, and parents.
The provincial eliminations of the EQC was held June 22, 2010, while the regional finals or the “Battle of the Eagles” that will be heralding new breed of champions as 12 contenders from the elementary and secondary levels outwit each other at the Bicol University, Legazpi City on June 29, 2010. (EMB V/PIA)
SK leaders thank PGMA
Manila (24 June) — Four very articulate leaders of the Sangguniang Kabataan, or the youth councils, all over the country took turns in praising and thanking President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for her full support to their needs and concerns and for championing the cause of education and environment for future generations of Filipinos.
In their separate speeches, Jane Censoria D. Cajes, president of the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation; Marinelle Formentera SK Federation from Parañaque representing Luzon; Karl Guisseppe Gumban of Iloilo representing SKs in the Visayas and Jessa Lumanog SK president for Davao del Sur, representing SKs in Mindanao took turns in praising the steadfast leadership, the vision, the programs and projects of President Arroyo, which they said helped spur growth in the countryside.
The SKNF leaders paid a courtesy call on the outgoing Chief Executive Wednesday (June 22, 2010) afternoon to bid her farewell.
“By name she is known as the President of the Republic. But in our hearts, she is the mother of SK’s empowerment. The support, trust and confidence she has extended to us and to our program have demonstrated how the statement in our constitution is translated into action,” said Cajes.
“She has been a great mother to this nation. The motherly leadership that she exhibited during her term is definitely a unique statement of her leadership principles and philosophies,” she added.
Through rough and trying times, we have seen how she managed to brave all challenges and how she triumphed over political battles and how she forged all the storms and turbulence, Cajes said.
For her part, Lumanog said that the youth from Mindanao will forever be grateful to President Arroyo for the various infrastructure projects, the tourism industry, the ports, airports and seaports, the scholarship programs, the peace effort that are being implemented in different approaches and the battle to maintain and promote peace, security and peace and order in our homeland.
Gumban said “the SKs and the youth of the Visayas are grateful for your dedication and for the development that you have sowed in the humble lands of the Visayas.”
“We are thankful for the school buildings you built especially in remote barangays, the hollowed grounds where dreams, aspirations and wishes of young children are being conceived, born and nurtured,” Gumban said.
“We thank you for your efforts to attract investors to invest in the Visayas, your presence in the Visayas which made us and the people Mindanao feel important. We value your presence and your programs,” Gumban said.
According to Gumban, the present generation and those to come, “shall experience and appreciate how you have labored for development to flourish in the Visayas area.”
Formentera, on the other hand, told the President that her “attitude towards leadership changed when she began to be inspired by a person who has gone through a lot of challenges yet remained strong, firm and decisive.”
“The person (referring to the President) encouraged me to face the challenges that I met in performing my duties and responsibilities. She is one of the most powerful women in the world,” she added.
She noted that the President’s accomplishments in various programs to uplift the lives of Filipinos are great but like other public figures she has been subjected to the harshest criticisms by people who chose to be blind to see the fruits of her labor.
“For me and for many young Filipinos, Her Excellency, President Arroyo is the modern face of an empowered woman, the guiding vision. Her constant passion, admirable discipline and remarkable persistence clearly led her to achieve and accomplish so much for a better Philippines,” she concluded. (PIA-MMIO)
Albay, Landbank sign P700-M loan for college scholarships
Legazpi City (22 June) — Albay province has signed Wednesday (June 16) a P700 million loan package with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to finance a first-in-the-country education strategy that aims to produce “a college graduate for every family” through an encompassing yet simplified study now-pay later scheme.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda, who authored the program, referred to it as an “Education Driven Development” (see presentation below); a development approach for his province anchored on a vigorous, well-planned, financed and executed college and vocational education, a system that practically invites more scholars, ups enrollment and produce more graduates.
Salceda signed the loan agreement with LBP President and Chief Executive Officer Gilda Pico Wednesday, June 16, in the presence of LBP ranking officers and Albay Provincial officials, among them, members of the provincial board and members of the media at Land Bank main office in Malate, Manila.
The loan will be used to finance government scholars in the tertiary level, under the Albay Higher Education Contribution Scheme (AHECS), enrolled at the Bicol University and other community colleges in Albay which, this year alone will pay for over 12,000 college freshmen until they graduate. This is estimated to trigger a growth in college enrolment in Albay by 40%.
“I would have placed this amount in infrastructures. But I believe diplomas give better economic returns than roads and bridges,” Salceda said.
“A well-educated constituency has a lot of social payback and economic benefits. It expands their labor mobility. They will seek better jobs. The difference in economic return between an elementary graduate and a secondary graduate is about 7%. But the differential between a college graduate and a high school graduate is about 21%. With diplomas, they can seek jobs elsewhere and not cramp the limited jobs market of Albay. Diplomas are like visas”, he added.
Salceda further stated that at a certain stage, Albay will gain the reputation as the natural source of well-educated labor force. The availability of trainable workforce will serve as a come-on for investors.
Considered a first of its kind in the country, Albay’s education program in all levels, has lately been gaining grounds, among others, raising students’ learning standard as was proven in the 2009 National Achievement Test (NAT) where the province garnered the 106th place out of 202 divisions, a distant leaped of 69 places from a poor 175th in 2007.
Salceda said the province’s present goal is to get to the top 40 schools in NAT within the next three years, and the top 10 within the next six years; there is no room for complacency, simply no space for mediocrity. The education agenda, though, is backed up by a portfolio of interventions, among others, an institutional capacity-building program.
Albay is presently the only province in the country with a Provincial Education Department (PED) – best known earlier as Education Quality for Albayanos (EQUAL) – created by an ordinance, with plantilla staff approved by the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management, overseen by a special advisory group – the Albay Council of Educators.
Salceda said Albay has committed over 17% of its annual budget now to education subsidy, under the PED, specifically EQUAL, which this year costs over P178 million – now the biggest item in its expenditure.
The province’s Special Education Fund (SEF), separated from the regular PED budget, which is used in, among others, sports program and maintenance of schools and classrooms in schools divisions, grew from only about P5 million in 2007 to P18 million in 2010, according to Salceda.
“Albay’s education program is producing the social impact; the number of college population has grown by 15% in three years from 34,000 to 38,000 due to provincial scholarships; and college graduates grew by 31% per year from 6,300 to 8,300, more or less,” Salceda concluded. (LGU Albay)
350 graduate from DepEd-ALS livelihood skills training program
by Lito Dar
Baguio City (27 February) — The Department of Education (DepED) Baguio City Division’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) in coordination with the city government of Baguio held a simple graduation program for the 350 learners who finished their Livelihood Skills Training Program, last week.
The 350 graduates finished various Livelihood Skills Training program of ALS-Baguio from November 2009 up to January of 2010 which courses include Reflexology/Massage, Beauty Care/Hair Science, Food Processing, Cooking/Culinary, Carpentry, baking and Welding.
Congressman Mauricio Domogan and Mayor Reinaldo Bautista who served as guest of honors lauded the DepEd ALS livelihood program and expressed their support for the sustainability of the program and to provide assistance to the graduates, individually or as a group, to those who want to venture into livelihood projects or open up a small business.
According to Domogan, education is the best empowerment the government can give to its people for their progress. He advised the graduates who want to start their own business or livelihood programs, to submit their proposals to the City Social Welfare and Development Office, wherein his office is also funding livelihood programs.
Bautista on the other hand expressed his support for the DepED ALS program, not only on its livelihood skills training but also on its Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) program, which provides chance to elementary and high school undergraduates to pursue their studies.
There is always a chance for everybody and with the ALS program, people are not only given a chance to learn but also an opportunity of employment and livelihood, Bautista said. He also stressed to the graduates that the city government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office is willing to provide them livelihood assistance.
ALS Baguio head Art Tiongan stressed that with through its Livelihood Skills Program, they are not only providing livelihood opportunity but they also give a chance for the elementary and high school undergraduates, in every barangay, the chance to continue their studies and pursue a higher goal in life, by also bringing in their A&E program. In the same manner, the ALS learners are also given a chance to acquire livelihood skills through the program.
Tiongan also stressed that ALS-Baguio holds the highest passing rate of 41 percent, in terms of A&E passers in the past five years and provides livelihood skills training to about 180 individuals in a year.
In the same program, DepED ALS-Baguio also gave plaques of recognition to the institutions, trainers, barangay officials, government officials, volunteers, trainers, facilitators, school ALS coordinators and administrators, who in one way or another fully supported, participated, cooperated and contributed to the success of their programs.
Also present were DepED Baguio Division Superintendent Dr. Ellen Donato, DepED District I – PSDS Dr Revelina Abarquez, ALS Regional Head Gloria Felipe. (PIA)
