Kalinga day care workers hold 1st convention
TABUK, Kalinga, Dec.14 (PIA) — Day care workers (DCW) in the province held their first provincewide convention last December 8 with the theme, “Together let us take care of our future today.”
Kalinga Governor Jocel C. Baac, who instigated the activity, said that the convention serves as venue to learn and plan how the province will improve the services of Day Care Centers (DCCs).
Expressing appreciation for the efforts of DCWs in the province, he said that the provincial government has “recognized their sacrifices in keeping up with their jobs despite the limited support from the government.”
This concern he said inspires him to come up with an activity to meet all DCWs in the province providing them the opportunity to air and evaluate their concerns to address the same.
Said event was attended by 230 DCWs .
“We called you today so we could conduct a survey and assess how the provincial government could help through a counterpart,” he said. He told the DCWs to mark December 8 in their calendar as their annual convention which he said will be institutionalized in recognition of the DWCs in the province.
Meanwhile, Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) Officer Digna Dalutag said that the conduct of the convention is a manifestation of the governor’s commitment in improving the plight of DCWs in the province.
She said that this is towards the attainment of the four domains of child growth and development which are physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development through the provision of better early childhood learning services to children six and below. This she said is also partly realizing the province’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to improve child care in the province.
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are a set of eight time-bound, concrete, and specific targets reaffirmed and adopted in September 2000 by the 189 UN member-countries with the vision to work together to wipe out poverty and the worst forms of human deprivation, and lay the foundations for sustainable human development by the year 2015.
Among the common issues raised during the DCW convention were: lack of learning materials and educational aids; no permanent building for Day Care Center in some barangays; low compensation of DCW and some barangays still don’t have a DCC.**ggdumallig/PIA-Kalinga
DepEd wants teachers to fight corruption
Manila (6 December) — The Department of Education is encouraging all teaching and non-teaching personnel to join the anti-graft and corruption prevention campaign this December.
“We have to uphold our integrity as we push for the thrust of implementing policies that conform to the ethical standard of public service,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said.
DepEd said activities that enhance “Filipino values” will be conducted in clusters in each region nationwide.
One of the activities planned is a seminar which aims to raise public awareness on the evils of corruption and the means of fighting it. The seminar will be organized by the Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values (CRFV), an Anti-Corruption Unit of the Office of the Ombudsman.
The education department also wants to create a network of vanguards who will act as “eyes” and “ears” of the Office of the Ombudsman and Transparency International and to establish grievance centers or public assistance centers.
“Being the largest bureaucracy in the Philippine government, DepEd employees should always live as good examples to the people, specifically to the young children entrusted to our care,” Luistro said.
“We should always teach values and practices to ensure that we are with the government in fighting corruption and other bad practices inside government offices,” he added. (PIA-MMIO)
DOST Abra now accepting applications for undergraduate scholarship
by Maritess Beñas
Bangued, Abra (18 September) — The Department of Science and Technology is advising applicants to the 2011 Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarships in the province to submit their application forms as soon as possible in order to beat the October 8 deadline of submission to DOST regional Office.
DOST Provincial Officer Menandro Buenafe said the scholarship program under Republic Act No. 7687 awards Bachelor of Science degree scholarships to students who wish to pursue priority fields of study in science, mathematics and engineering.
Awardees may seek admission and enroll at any of the state universities and colleges and other tertiary institutions that are identified as Centers of Excellence by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Applicants will have to pass the qualifying examination for admission by the university where they plan to enroll.
Buenafe urges all school heads to encourage their students to take the scholarship examination. The scholarship program of the DOST primarily aims to provide free education to poor but deserving students who are willing to stay in the country after their graduation and serve here.
Who are qualified to take the scholarship examination? Applicants must be natural-born Filipino citizens, poor but talented and deserving student, must belong to the upper 5% of the graduating class, or a member of the graduating class of a DOST-SEI-identified or DepEd-recognized science high school, a resident of the municipality for at least four years as attested by the barangay or school records, of good moral character and a qualifier of the 2011 S&T Scholarship Examination.
Buenafe emphasized the applicant must not have earned any units in any post-secondary or undergraduate course, and must not have taken any DOST-SEI Science and Technology Scholarship Examination. The applicant must not have applied for immigrant status in the USA or any other country since scholars who graduate under the said scholarship program are required to render service in the country after their graduation.
Application forms are now available at the DOST Provincial Offices at the Provincial Capitol Annex Building in Bangued and at the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST) Lagangilang, Abra. Forms are also available at the office of the Philippine Information Agency, also located at the Provincial Capitol Annex Building in Bangued.
The test permits will be mailed to the applicant or school principal. In case the test permits are not received before examination day, the examinees should check with the DOST regional or provincial offices a day before the examination and proceed to the designated test center.
Examination will be on November 21, 2010 at the Abra High School in Bangued, Abra. The first batch of examinees will take their exams at 7:00 AM to 12:00 NN, and the second batch is set at 1:00 PM to 6:00PM. (PIA-Abra)
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.
DepEd is closely coordinating with the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino to celebrate the Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa in August, per Proclamation No. 1041, series of 1997, as declared by Former President Fidel Ramos. This year’s theme is, “Sa Pangangalaga sa Wika at Kalikasan, Wagas na Pagmamahal Talagang Kailangan.”
“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)
