DIRECTOR’S Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of DepEd 11 Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy, Ceso IV to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education) I do not consider my job as plain work --- rather it is my LIFE. “We have to continually examine what succeeds and fails, and why. We have to uphold and live true to our battle cry and DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus' slogan of governance: "Edukasyon ang Solusyon."

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Education Secretary Jesli Lapus inaugurated a two-room school building at Macambol High School, a four-classroom and six-classroom building at Mati Sped School, a renovated 22-classroom Gabaldon Type Building and 16 new classroom buildings at Mati Central Elementary School I.

The structure in Macambol High School was donated by BHP Billiton SSM, an Australian mining firm through Deped's Adopt-A-School Program while the two-hectare lot was donated by the Municipal Government of Mati headed by Mati Mayor Michelle N. Rabat.

The Macambol community headed by barangay captain Edgar Tanutan expressed their gratitude to the mining company, the LGU and Deped and the office of Congresswoman Thelma Z. Almario for making the project possible. It benefitted at least four feeder elementary schools and most importantly the schoolchildren of the locality who will enjoy going to school without extra transportation cost for an eight-kilometer ride to the nearest school, Dawan NHS.

Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan Jr of BHP Billiton SSM emphasized the company's initiative as an answer to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and part of its corporate social responsibility. He mentioned about its Malaria annihilation campaign, its poverty and hunger mitigation programs and the one related to the gathering, ensuring that all school age children shall be in school by year 2015 by donating the classrooms that were inaugurated.

Secretary Lapus spent time in gamely posing with the teachers, students and the residents of Macambol after the short program amidst the moderate rainfall before the convoy composed of the other Deped central office and regional office officials and staff, the division personnel of Davao Oriental, the LGU officials of the province and the city and the private sector proceeded to the municipality of Mati for another inauguration program.

It was a marathon ribbon cutting ceremony in four separate occasions wherein that time under heavy rainfall, in the four big school building projects in the municipality of Mati which is part of the 2nd congressional district of Davao Oriental under congressman Almario.

After a sumptuous lunch, a short program followed. It was attended by school heads and selected teachers from all the elementary and secondary schools in the Division of Davao Oriental under OIC Superintendent Reynaldo M. Guillena. The provincial government of Davao Oriental was represented by OIC Governor Joel Mayo Almario and some members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Sangguniang Bayan of Mati. Deped Regional Office 11 was headed by RD Susana Teresa B. Estigoy, ARD Fe C. Delos Reyes, SED Chief Luzminda O. Onor. EED Asst. Chief Minerva Fabros, Medical Officer V Mariblanca Piatos, this writer and Regional PFC Rene Agbayani. Technical Service and Adopt a School Program Director Mari Paul Soriano was also there with two staff. Engineering Division Head of the Deped Central Office, Engr. Oliver Hernandez came one day earlier to inspect various projects in the Province.

In his acceptance speech, Lapus who was introduced by RD Estigoy, related that the construction of more classrooms is critical in achieving our education targets. He also mentioned the rationale behind the restoration of the almost century old Gabaldon Building and the current thrusts of Deped related to the school building project.

Lapus talked about his constant dialogue with the DPWH, the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Bayanihang Eskwela, G-Watch to strengthen the School Building Program of Deped. He especially emphasized the significant participation of the private sector in the school building program.

Lastly, Lapus dispelled the rumor that the slogan “Edukasyon ang Solusyon” is a political vehicle but a genuine principle of governance of the biggest and most potent government organization in the country.

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You can access DepEd Updates, latest issuances and other relevant information through our website: http://www.region11.deped.gov.ph. For comments, suggestions and/or contributions, email me at renzthescribe@gmail.com. or visit http://renzmendoza.multiply.com. for photos and other relevant information. For queries, complains and other concerns, call DepED Region 11 at (082) 227-9342 or fax to (082) 227-1102.

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Mr. Lorenzo E. Mendoza, M.A. is the Regional Supervisor in Filipino for Secondary, Regional Information Officer, Regional ICT and Library Hub Coordinator.