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)

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)

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)

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)

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 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)

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)

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (January 5) — The provincial government here has allocated some P60 million to pursue its programs, projects and activities in a bid to raise the quality of education in this province.

Board member Edgardo “Edu” Balgos, provincial board’s chair on education said the amount which was approved by the Provincial School Board (PSB) will be spent for the construction of additional school buildings, purchase of computer sets, trainings and seminars for public school teachers and in raising the incentives of Special Education Funded-teachers in the province who only receive P4,500 each.

The P60 million was shelled out from the P150 million share of the provincial government from the P750 million payment of the Casecnan Water and Energy Company (CWEC), contractor of the $10.5 million Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project (CMIPP) in Alfonso Castaneda town.

The amount represents the past and previous tax payments of the company from its real properties since the start of its operation in 2000.

The town of Alfonso Castaneda also got its 40-percent share from the P750 million real property tax payment.

CMIPP which was built under Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme seeks to augment irrigation needs of farmers in Central Luzon and provide additional 100 Mega watts of power for the Luzon grid.

The project siphons waters from the Casecnan and Taang rivers in Nueva Vizcaya through a 36-kilometer diversion weirs to the Pantabangan dam in Nueva Ecija. (PIA NVizcaya)

Legazpi City (24 November) — The Provincial Government of Albay, through the office of education coordinator, is set to recognize and award exemplary performance of students, teachers, principals and local government units on December 22, 2009.

The “Gawad sa Edukasyon” is a province-wide search for principals, teachers and students who exceed the average standards and soar high in the chosen field.

Categories for Gawad sa Edukasyon are:

• Students Excellence Award for Leadership (SEAL) to student achievers in academics and leadership in both public and private elementary and secondary schools in the province;

• Search for Outstanding Teachers of Albay (TOTAL) – a continuing search for outstanding teachers in elementary and secondary;

• Three Outstanding Principals in the Countryside of Albay (TROPICAL) – a similar search as the TOTAL to identify and reward three principals in the province whose leadership resulted to academic excellence, social relevance, organizational efficiency and recognition of their school; and,

• LGUs (local government units) Best practices in Education (Kadunong) – this category will encourage other LGUs to infuse education as the finest program that produces a lifetime return of investment in the locality.

The successful 10 outstanding teachers as well as three outstanding principals will receive plaque and P100,000 cash each. While an LGU with best practices in education will receive P200,000 and P20,000 each for 10 students with excellent leadership.

Governor Joel Salceda has allocated an amount of P5 million for the Gawad sa Edukasyon which was introduced in 2008 as an effective motivating factor to better performance.

The provincial government of Albay awards cash certificates, trophies, plaques, medals to achievers and high performers.

These extrinsic rewards are reinforcing motivation that clearly recognizes outstanding achievements.

During the same occasion the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay is also set to give the highest provincial honor and P250,000 cash gift to Efren Penaflorida. He bested nine other nominees from different countries for the Hero of the Year award initiated by CNN.

The nominees were initially selected by a panel of 14 “Blue Panel” luminaries but the Hero of the Year award is given to the one with the most number of online votes in the CNN Heroes website.

For his innovative “Kariton Klasrum” (pushcart classroom) Filipino educator Peñaflorida has been awarded by CNN as “2009 Hero of the Year.”

Governor Salceda said Albay will make Penaflorida an honorary son of the province. “Regional Development Council chairman we will make similar commendation.”

“His sense of civic duty should inspire citizens, reignite hope for our nation but remind public servants to bring service closer to the people and more importantly employ political will and local leadership,” Salceda said. (PNA Bicol/PIA)

On its second search, SEI Director Dr. Ester B. Ogena said the Gawad LIDER becomes more prestigious with higher prices at stake.

“We want to entice more people to come out and nominate individuals and institutions who have contributed to the betterment of science education in the country,” she said.

For the 2nd Gawad LIDER, prizes are pegged at P200,000 and a medal for winners in the Exemplary Leadership and Innovation Award Categories.

Ogena said the Exemplary Leadership Award is conferred to individuals and institutions/organizations that have consistently demonstrated leadership qualities leading to improvements in the field of education in the sciences which have generated nationwide impact.

On the other hand, the Innovation Award is given to an individual or institution for the introduction of a technology-based innovation that benefits education in the sciences.

Awardees of the 1st Gawad LIDER include former Marikina Division School Superintendent Dr. Flordeliza Mayari, now the Valenzuela Division School Superintendent, University of the Philippines-National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development, and Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology for Exemplary Leadership and Mr. Virgil Samonte for the Innovation Award. Last year’s winners received P150,000 and a medal.

Any head of an institution, community leaders, organization or individuals may nominate an individual or institution/organization for the Gawad LIDER awards.

Ogena said any person or institution/organization who has demonstrated sustained leadership capability through the conduct of a project with significant impact on education in the sciences may be nominated for the Exemplary Leadership- Individual and Institution Category.

She said the nominee in the Individual Category of the Exemplary Leadership Award should have led the implementation of a program or project for at least five years.

Ogena noted that any individual or organization who has introduced a technology-based innovation and has successfully used or adopted these innovations that contributed to the advancement of education in the sciences may be nominated for the Innovation Award.

She said an innovation is operationally defined as the development or enhancement of devices, equipment, gadgets, tools, or products or procedures that resulted in greater effectiveness and higher efficiency in teaching and learning in the sciences.

Nomination and application forms may be obtained from the SEI office and at the DOST Regional Offices.

Deadline of submission of nomination is on January 15, 2010 at the DOST Regional Offices and January 31, 2010 at the SEI office. Awarding of the winners will be conducted during the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week in July 2010. (PIA-MMIO)