DepEd’s Operation Balik-Eskwela Set for June School Opening

The Department of Education (DepEd) and  its regional and division offices nationwide are all set for the opening of classes in June 13, 2016—one of the most significant events for the education sector—setting into motion the nationwide Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) 2016.

Under the OBE, DepEd activates quick response teams, emergency hotlines and helpdesks to respond to needs and  queries pertaining to school opening. Moreover, DepEd has already prepared and disseminated the guidelines and standard procedures in all schools on the conduct the school opening event.


This year, DepEd teamed up with IBEX Global Solutions, a call center, to set up a Senior High School (SHS) Help Desk with the hotline number 667-1188. The said help desk will be operational on Monday, May 23, 2016, and will be open from 9am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays until June 30, 2016. 

DepEd K to 12 Law on its 3rd year anniversary

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.

DepEd commends public school teachers for orderly, peaceful elections

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.

Statement of DepEd on Election Poll Duties of Public School Teachers

In less than 10 days, the nation will troop to the polls for the 2016 automated national and local elections.  

Once again, public school teachers will render service as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), support staff, polling center supervisors and member of the board of canvassers.  

With this, the Department of Education (DepEd) is confident that our public school teachers will rise to the occasion and take on the responsibility--as they have done in the past--to serve the country.

DepEd reminds its teachers to stay neutral and non-partisan. The Department will work closely with local officials and law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of public school teachers who will render their service during the polls. DepEd has also reactivated its Election Task Force (ETF) to assist those who will serve as BEIs. Also, the Department has partnered with the Public Assistant’s Office (PAO) through a Memorandum of Agreement to provide legal assistance to BEI members should there be election-related suits filed against them.

DepEd believes that our school teachers will give their best for an honest and clean national elections.

59th edition of the Palarong Pambansa ends

After a grueling week of intense competition, it is finally time to close the curtains on the 59th edition of the Palarong Pambansa 2016 at the Albay-Bicol Sports and Tourism Complex in Legazpi City, Albay.

The event started with the closing parade of all 18 regions followed by a parade of bands and pretty majorettes from various schools and universities in Albay.

Present for the closing ceremony were Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC; DepEd Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs, Tonisito M.C. Umali, Albay Governor Joey Salceda, and Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Top NBA trainer conducts BEST Center workshop

Students from select public schools in Metro Manila had a great opportunity to join a special basketball workshop with no less than Paul Fabritz, a world-renowned performance enhancement coach and skills trainer who flew all the way from Los Angeles, USA. Fabritz has worked with international athletes including NBA players Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Alex Len, and Derrick Williams.

Organized by the Basketball Efficiency Scientific Training (BEST) Center and supported by Chris Sports, with the help of DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Wilfredo Cabral and NCR Supervisor Joel Dionicio, the basketball workshop gave kids an experience of how top international athletes train to become the best in the game through the guidance of international coaches. It aimed to develop their skill set by instilling basketball skill-specific training and performance programs that focus on speed, agility, quickness, power, and shooting.

#Palaro2016 UPDATES Final Day!

It has been a action-filled week here in Albay with the Palarong Pambansa 2016. And  we are now on the last day of the competition with the final medal tally for all event has been finalized. There was also several weird incidents that happened like the SPED athlete who got electrocuted, the cauldron minor explosion, and  other reported thefts.

Health and safety was also the top concern as the temperature is scorching hot, and with some concerns of water shortage in some billeting centers. There were also accounts of fist fights and heckling but they are still minimal and was resolved immediately.

Who is is the overall winner in the Palaro, check the medal tally below!

DepEd to re-open application for Senior HS Voucher Program

The Department of Education through the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) will be re-opening the application for the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program next week. 

The SHS Voucher Program is intended for completers of Grade 10 who would like to pursue SHS education in private schools, private universities and colleges, local or state universities and colleges offering SHS and technical and vocational institutions offering SHS starting School Year 2016-2017.  It provides students with a subsidy that enables them to get a discount on the cost of tuition and other school fees for SHS.

To date, more than 50,000 non-ESC private school grade 10 completers have been awarded vouchers. All public school Grade 10 completers and all private school Grade 10 completers who are Education Service Contracting (ESC) grantees are automatically qualified voucher recipients. These students do not need to apply for vouchers.

Nald: A kid with big ambitions

A small town kid with big ambitions, this is what best describes 17-year old Ronaldo “Nald” Dapena who is one of the members of the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) football team. He came from San Antonio, Delfin Albano, Isabela, which is considered as one of the poorest barrios in the area. The third of five siblings, Nald’s father works as a farmer while his mother works part-time at a local bakery. 

“Medyo mahirap din po ang buhay namin pero kahit paano po nakakaraos naman po kami sa pang araw-araw at kung may pagkakataon, tumutulong din po ako sa aking ama sa bukid,” says Nald.

Aware of their difficulties in life, Nald often finds solace in playing the sport he fell in love with at a young age, “Ten years old pa lang, naglalaro na ako ng football at madalas akong sumali sa Intramurals sa school. Nakapaglaro na din po ako sa mga Provincial Meets. Doon po ako nadiskubre ng coach po namin ngayon na si Mr. Alexander Tabubuca," says Nald.

Things To Take Note During Palarong Pambansa

This national games are a annual event that everyone in the country is looking forward to, all the regions converge  with their athletes, coaches, officials, staff, family and friends will definitely spice up the city along with the exciting sporting events. It is indeed a rare event that one should savor the moments that happens of this yearly meet.

And for the non-participants, seeing the action live and being there is also another experience that one can have during the week. If you are a participant or a observer for Palarong Pambansa, let me share to you some tips so you can enjoy and keep yourself safe during this hectic yet fun event.

Paralrong Pambansa Update Day 6

Here is the latest medal tally and news about the ongoing Palarong Pambansa 2016. As the event comes to a close, will NCR still keep the top spot? Which region is in the top 5, details with my Palaro Live updates!

Palaro 2016 Introduces A New Team!

The Palarong Pambansa has always been the most awaited multi-sport event in the country and had developed a lot of athletes which moved on to become world class players and olympians. And this year one of the new things that will happen for the Palaro in Albay is the introduction of a new team. Technically, they are not actually new to the games but was created in the formation of a new region that brought Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental as the new Negros Island Region.

The region was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 183 issued by President Benigno Aquino III on May 29, 2015, and is the 18th region in the Philippines. With this integration, teams of both provinces will merge into one which  provides more opportunities for Negrenses to join the games. 

DepEd Statement on the newly signed Election Service Reform Act

The Department of Education (DepEd) welcomes the newly signed Election Service Reform Act, which makes election duties voluntary for public school teachers. We always welcome legislation that promote and uphold the rights and safety of our teachers. We are confident that our public school teachers will always be ready to help and serve our countrymen. 

Palaro Participants Also Explored The Beauty of Albay

It is always not always work, work, work work for the athletes, officials and coaches of Palarong Pambansa 2016 which is now currently held in Albay Province. It is the first time Palaro will be held here and many are excited to experience a new sports destination which was hosted by Tagum City, Sta Cruz, and Dumaguete City in the past years.

Albay is known to be where the famous Mayon Volcano is located. With many of the participants came early before the official opening, training is their top priority. However, they too find pleasure in touring the province with a lot of places in interests, one of them is Cagsawa Ruins.

Over 12,000 delegates troop to Albay as Palaro 2016 opens

As the long-awaited Palarong Pambansa 2016 officially opened, over 12,000 delegates including student-athletes, coaches, and officials from all 18 regions have gathered at Bicol University (BU), Albay, for the opening ceremonies today, April 10.

The Department of Education (DepEd), along with this year’s Palarong Pambansa provincial host Albay, formally welcomed thousands of visitors to the games, marking the start of a week-long event in a colorful mix of costumes, flags, and banners.

DepEd, Knowledge Channel renew vows to deliver 21st century educ

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI) renewed its commitment to provide multimedia resources for over five million learners in 6,000 public schools and community learning centers in the country. 

The 10-year partnership allows public schools to have continued access to Knowledge Channel’s Educational Shows and multimedia learning resources, which complement and support the K to 12 curriculum through non-traditional and interactive modes of instruction. 

Negros Island Region: We are 100% ready for Palaro 2016

Negros Island Region (NIR), which is a newly created region that will be competing for the 59th Palarong Pambansa for the first time, is 100% ready and confident that its athletes will take center stage in the national sporting competition.

According to Department of Education (DepEd)-NIR Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad, “Although this is the first time, we will do our best to compete [with the other regions]. We are ready [and] we are vying for championship.”

In January, DepEd Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said this year’s staging of the Palaro will have many “firsts.” 

Wanted: new records to break in Palaro 2016

When Davao del Norte hosted the 58th Palarong Pambansa in 2015, record-breaking feats were showcased by a new breed of student athletes in the swimming and athletics category.

Can we expect more records to fall in this year’s staging of the Palaro in Albay?

Last year, Luzon’s best bets from Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and the National Capital Region towed the rest of the regions and mightily showed the way. Central Luzon's Balitucan National High School alumnus, Martin James Esteban shattered the 14.44m triple jump record of Mark Harry Diones with his 15.01 meter-jump.

DepEd, Albay gear up for Palaro 2016

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the provincial government of Albay continue to gear up for the 59th Palarong Pambansa to be held at the Albay Sports and Tourism Complex, Legaspi City from April 10 to 16, 2016. This is the first time that Albay will host the week-long event that brings together the country’s most promising student-athletes.

With the theme: “Transforming Communities, Transcending Through K to 12,” DepEd aims to promote physical education and sports as an integral part of the Basic Education for holistic development of the youth to become responsible and globally competitive citizens of the country.

Public elementary schools in Mega Manila to receive over 5,000 digital pianos

For years, Placido del Mundo Elementary School (PDMES) in Barangay Talipapa has been joining various competitions to uphold the institution’s honor—one of which are school choir competitions held by both public meets and the private sector. 

Assistant Principal Adela B. Lacaba recalls that the school’s glee club has been practicing without the aid of a piano. “Matagal nang walang matinong piano and PDMES at dahil sumasali kami sa mga competitions gaya ng National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) at Voices in Harmony, mahirap mag-rehearse ng walang piano,” said Lacaba.

As music teacher and choir director Shermaine Bulante pointed out the need for a piano is imperative not only to teach basic music to young learners but also to support the choir group’s rehearsal after school hours. With nothing but the willing hearts of 40 students, she had to manage.