OVER 7,000 teacher-delegates from around the country joined in celebrating the 2018 World Teachers’ Day hosted by the local government of Ormoc City on Friday, October 5.
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones, along with Undersecretary Tonisito M.C. Umali, Esq. and other key officials, thanked Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez and his wife, Leyte Fourth District Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez, for successfully hosting the event.
Umali also thanked DepEd-Eastern Visayas Director Ramir Uytico and the Ormoc City Division through Schools Division Superintendent Manuel Albano for the overall success of the event.
Following this year’s theme “Gurong Pilipino: Turo mo, Kinabukasan ko,” Briones honored those who are in the teaching profession, acknowledging the “crucial role, loyal service, and dedicated commitment of teachers in developing globally-minded citizens, nurturing families, strengthening communities, and building the nation.”
In an interview with SunStar Philippines, Umali urged every Filipino to celebrate the National Teachers’ month from September 5 to October 5 like how they would celebrate Christmas and other happy holidays “to revitalize the image and respect for teaching as a vocation by increasing awareness on the value of teachers in the Philippine society.”
The education officials thanked the department’s partners including Metrobank Foundation Inc., One Meralco Foundation, Globe Telecommunications, Enchanted Kingdom, Philippine Postal Corporation, and other private organizations and government agencies for their “treats” as a token of gratitude to the teachers.
All schools both in private and public around the country held synchronized programs and activities to celebrate the event.
Amid the issues and controversies faced by the DepEd, Briones said that teaching remains a fulfilling profession and vocation.