Monday, November 03, 2008 Mendoza: One of top performing agencies By Lorenzo E. Mendoza The Scribe's Corner
DIRECTOR'S Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of DepEd 11 Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy, Ceso IV, for all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education.)
May we all be inspired with the thought that we are in a kind of work that provides us with opportunities to shape the minds and characters of leaders and community members of the future. This alone is already one big reason for us to be proud of our work, of our profession, and of our selves. "We have to continually examine what succeeds and fails, and why. We have to uphold and live true to our battle cry: Isulong ang Karunungan, Labanan ang Kahirapan!"
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Contrary to published reports (not in this newspaper) both in news and opinion pages, the Department of Education has not been engaged in projects that are useless.
In fact, DepEd is gearing its manpower and resources towards all-out efforts of making every Filipino functionally literate and that includes the out-of school youth, adults, and indigenous people, even the mentally and physically challenged.
The evidence that will prove DepEd's efforts are the various awards and citations received by the Department and by Secretary Lapus himself from the different sectors and survey firms that are conducting periodic monitoring and evaluation of government and non-government initiatives to good governance and poverty alleviation.
Among the citations are the one given by United Nations for ranking 2nd among Asia and Pacific in the Guinness World Record in the Stand Up and Speak Out Movement, 2nd Best performing agency from Ulat ng Bayan Pulse Asia and, based on the same survey, Lapus got top honors as the best performing cabinet official of the Arroyo government.
Just recently, Lapus was inducted into the Champions of Digital Literacy Hall of Fame by the International Organization Certiport, citing his efforts to roll out one of the world's largest digital literacy programs for more than 480,000 teachers and the country, and from the Manuel L. Quezon Good Governance Award for his exemplary management skills and leadership that saw the Department of Education registering marked efficiency in resource mobilization as well as improving performance of public school students in national tests.
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Eagle Scout Niño A. Apale of La Filipina National High School, Division of Tagum City, emerged as the top winner in the just concluded Search for Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts (TOBS) of the Philippines for Eastern Mindanao Region.
Niño, a resident of Barangay San Miguel, Tagum City who excelled during the Regional and National Youth Forum, also won first place in the Davao del Norte Council's elimination phase. He was able to outrank other outstanding eagle scouts from Regions 11, 12, Eastern Mindanao, and Caraga with his natural gift of gab, wit, and honesty.
Other components of the search were leadership in community service, academic excellence, scouting participation, awards and character.
ES Apale got the all-out support of the following for his exemplary performance: Outfit Advisor Darwin F. Suyat, Laureta NHS Principal Jeffrey Villarosa, Jeselyn dela Cuesta, ES I, Division Scouting Coordinator, Vice Mayor Allan Rellon, and PTCA and barangay officials.
Council Scout Executive Teofilo S. Paña with the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte headed by Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario, Superintendent Nenita Lumaad of Tagum City, and Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uyare are very supportive and enthusiastic about this development in the Scouting Movement.
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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@yahoo.com or visit http://renzmendoza.multiply.com for photos and other relevant information. For queries, complaints, 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 and the Regional Information and Media Officer of DepEd Region 11 and currently designated as Regional Library Hub Coordinator.
