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 battlecry and DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus’ slogan of governance: “Edukasyon ang Solusyon”
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This column is dedicated to the DepEd Secretary who brought significant reforms to DepEd despite the very short time that he had stayed in the Department.
Secretary Jesli A. Lapus is considered as the most awarded Deped chief and the one that steered the biggest government bureaucracy to greater heights putting quality performance as the top of his agenda for total development. His expertise as an ace manager was put to good use in Deped. He will be leaving us with the widest smile ever because he is assured that his legacy will forever be part of our Deped family for life.
It was on March 8, 2010 when it was announced by Malacañang that Secretary Lapus was given another role in the government as DTI Secretary. Being the head of the biggest government institution for more than three years, Secretary Lapus has been touted as the best man for the job until such time that the reforms he has instituted will bear fruit and benefit the center of all our endeavors --- the children.
However, as the line of the song goes, “some good things never last”. Let us just hope that the next DepEd Chief and the one who will be appointed by the next President come July will equal if not surpassed Lapus’ performance.
Before he finally leaves DepEd, Secretary Lapus has written this letter:
"My dear DepEd Family, having been asked to take a new role in government, it is with deep regret that I leave the Department of Education to assume the post of secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry.
"Although I welcome this new appointment as an excellent opportunity to serve our country in a field that I have been engaged in for many long years, I am saddened by the fact that this means I will have to leave a job that I had learned to love these last few years. At the same time, it means that I can no longer actively pursue the many advocacies in education that I had espoused as your secretary.
"Allow me now to express my sincere gratitude for the full support you have given me during my incumbency as DepEd secretary.
"We had performed well as a team, despite the enormous challenges we faced and the limited resources we had at our disposal. I trust that you will carry on the fight for quality education for all Filipinos. Rest assured that I will be one with you in this cause as a lifelong champion of Philippine Education.
"Again, my heartfelt thanks to you all. Mabuhay ang DepEd! Edukasyon ang Solusyon!"
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Good news to NSPC delegates and well wishers: You can browse and download high resolution photos from the "Magical NSPC 2010" through: http://nspc2010.multiply.com. Photos are courtesy of SM Sanchez, Francis Abrenica and Edwin Lasquite.
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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.