ALS and Sunday school (MWSP) information

To those who would like to pursue their education but cannot afford to be in a regular school, this may be of help. The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction. When one does not have or cannot access formal education in schools, ALS is an alternate or substitute. ALS includes both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills. ALS is widely offered to schools in Davao City wherein people can choose the school most convenient to them. 

Here are the basic requirements in order to register for ALS Program:

1. Two (2) pcs. 2x2 ID Photo

2. Original and Photocopies of any of the following government-issued IDs:

   - Driver's License

   - Valid Passport

   - Voter's ID

   - SSS/UMID

   - Postal ID NBI Clearance

   - Barangay Certification with photo (stating the complete name and Date of Birth of the prospective registrant)

3. If currently unemplyed, drop-out or under aged for any government IDs to be issued, you may submit an Authenticated Birth Certificate from the NSO.

Now, here are the schools and contact persons you may want to contact for any further inquiries regarding ALS. There are some requirements that may vary from school to school, so it is very helpful to ask them of the specific requirements they would need.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS IMPLEMENTED ALS PROGRAMS OF DepEd	Assigned Coordinator Secondary ALS Coordinator	Contact Numbers
Daniel R. Aguinaldo NHS	Riza C. Mantalaba	0942-922-6220
Bernardo D. Carpio NHS	Jean joan C. Senillo	0942-980-5526
Davao City NHS	Aname J. Abonero	0999-761-6131
Erico Nograles NHS	Amelia Torrefiel	0912-497-3916
Doňa Denia NHS	Christopher Balubayan	0917-524-5653
Sta. Ana NHS	Mary Rose Natad	305-3432/ 300-3443
Cabantian NHS	Christie Morales	241-2053
Talomo NHS	Angelo Jercho Amora	296-9276
Calinan NHS	Raymunda Gumhob	295-0720
F. Bustamante NHS	Leonial D. Dagasdas	238-0583
F. Bangoy NHS	Victoria Agustin Tevar	233-1255/ 234-1523
Mintal Comprehensive NHS	Edna R. Abenojar	293-0569

If in case you would like to enroll for a sunday school program, the Department of Education also has something for you. The Modified Work and Study Program (MWSP) is available to everyone who can comply with the requirements of the school.

There are only 4 schools that offer MWSP in Davao City and here are the names and contact numbers for you to reach them:

1. Sta.National Highschool- Mr. Pio E. Melancolico, Jr. (222-4421)

2. Davao City National Highschool- Mr. Wenefredo Cagape (224-1639 300-8895)

3. F.Bangoy National Highschool- Ms. Evelyn Magno (233-1255)

4. Crossing Bayabas National Highschool- Ms. Elvic Bajade (291-2342)

Here are some photo requirements from the DCNHS for your reference and guidance:

(Photo credit: Team Acosta)

(Photo credit: Team Acosta)

(Photo credit: Team Acosta)

(Photo credit: Team Acosta)

(Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Inspirational Message (Highschool-Female) BJMP ALS Graduation

BJMP_ALS 2016 Graduation (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Para sa ating mga kagalang-galang na panauhinna pinangungunahan ng ating Regional Director Jail Senior Superintendent  Lyndon D. Torres Sir, sa aming napakaganda at kahanga-hangang Warden, Jail Superintendent Grace Sun Taculin Ma'am, Davao City Jail Warden, Jail Superintendent Jonathan Lavapie Sir, Davao City Jail-Annex Warden, Chief Inspector Don Paredes Sir, sa ating Guest Speaker Maria Belen Acosta ng unang distrito ng Davao City ma'am, Schools Division Superintendent Maria Ines Asuncion ma'am, Chief Curriculum Implementation Division, Alma Cifra ma'am, sa ating Education Specialist II-ALS, BJMP Program In-Charge Marianita Corpuz ma'am, sa mga mahal naming mga BJMP Personnel na walang sawang nagbabantay, sa aming pinakamamahal naming mga magulang, asawa, kaibigan, mga kabakasyonista at kapwa ko magsisi-pagtapos, magandang araw sa ating lahat.

Pansamantala po naming pinahinto ang aming  oras sa loob ng kanya-kanya naming selda upang tass noo po kaming tatayo dito sa inyong harapan at magsasabing tumatanggap po kami ngayon ng diplomang nagsasaad na kami ngayon ay magtatapos ng elementarya at sekandarya.

Ako po si Hazel Villanel Asis, 35 years old, maagang nakapag-asawa at may siyam na anak. Naghiwalay kami ng aking asawa, kaya tinaguyod kong mag-isa ang aking mga supling sa paraang alam ko. Apat na taon na ang nakalipas, nakapag-asawa akong muli sa isang mabait at masipag na maybahay ngunit hindi ko alintanang masira ito, pinasok ko pa rin ang hanap-buhay na alam kong labag sa batas, matustusan ko lang ang pangunahing pangangailangan ng aking mga anak. Ngunit sa kasamaang-palad ako ay nahuli at nakulong.

Sa mga unang araw ko dito sa piitan, ang kawalan ng pag-asa ang natira kong nadarama dahil para sa akin ang aking pamilya ay isang buhay ko. Ngunit binigay sa aking ng institusyong ito ang sinag ng pag-asa. Tinuroan kami ng iba't-ibang uri ng livelihood na magagamit naming pagkakakitaan dito. At higit sa lahat dito ko nakamtan ang diploma na noon ay isa lang mithiin ata ngayon ay nasa kamay ko na. Ang diploma na nagsasabing kami ay tao at may dignidad. Diploma na nagsasabing tayong lahat ay pantay-pantay sa larangan ng edukasyon, piitan man ang aming napuntahan. Diploma na nagsasabing "Hazel" kaya mo ng makipagsabayan sa mga taong nakasuot ng uniporme, nagsusuot ng disenteng damit na dating tiningala mo. Ang diplomang ito'y, misming mga magulang kong nagsasabing "Hazel" karapatdapat ka sa iyong nakamtan ngayon, mahab-haba na rin ang hirap na iyong nilakbay.

Nang pinakilala sa akin ang "Alternative Learning System" na kilala sa lahat na "ALS", pumasok sa aking isipan na isa siyang Friendly System para sa ming hindi nakapagtapos sa kapanahunan namin. Naingganyo po akong sumubok at sa awa ni Allah natapos ang naudlot kong pag-aaral hanggang sekondarya.

Walang masisidlan ang kasiyahang aking naramdaman nang maipasa ko ito dahil alam kong hindi lang mataas na antas ang aking natapos kung di isa na rin akong degree holder ayon sa sinasaad sa Learning System na ito.

Para sa Lahat ng bumuo ng pagkatao ko ngayon unang-una ang walang kupas na sumusubaybay ng aking buhay, si "Allah" na ating kaagapay, ang mga mababait naming mga instraksyonal manager, JO1 Joy Mamoko at JO1 April Jane Marie G. Danao, ang masisipag naming assistant instraksyonal manager na si Ms. Arlene Hatico, kulang po ang salitang "salamat" na isusukli namin sa inyo, ngunit gayunpaman maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.

Ako po ngayon ay punong-puno ng pag-asa, na dumating sa takdang panahon ang inilaan sa akin ni Allah, na lalabas ako mula dito, bit-bit ko ang kayamanang walang sinumang makaka-agaw sa akin nito. At kung saan man ako dadalhin ng dalawang paa kong ito, isa lang ang sigurado ako, maaliwalas, maliwanang, malinis at maka-Diyos ang buhay na naghihintay sa akin sa labas.

Gusto ko sanang ipaabot sa lahat ng mga kapwa kong bakasyonistang nagpatala sa ALS, na sana magsilbing inspirasyon ako sa inyong paglalakbay.

Graduation Speech BJMP Inmate-Male (ALS 2016)

ALS Graduation 2016 (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Good Morning ladies and gentlemen, to all graduates and to all visitors who are here for this one of a kind special event of our lives. It is an honor and privilege to stand here in front of you to share my experience and insights of the ALS program. But before that, I would like to first acknowledge and give thanks to our beloved Wardens and to all BJMP personnel especially to my mentors. First, our Instructional Managers-Ma'am Alm, Ma'am Joy, Sir Kit, Sir Mongas. Gusto ko ring magpasalamat sa bumuo po ng ALS program. Lalung-lalo na sa itinuturing natin na mga buhay na bayani ngayon- and mga masisipag at mababait nating mga guro mula sa Department of Education. Maraming salamat din sa aming mga service providers and donors and ALS coordinator na si Ian Monfort na siyang nag-aasikaso ng aming mga pangangailangan sa pag-aaral. At syempre nagpapsalamat din ako ng malaki sa aming assistant IM's, kina Kuya Paul, ALmer at Alex. Sila po iyong mga nagtiyaga, umnawa, nagpakumbaba na maturuan kami sa lahat ng session araw-araw. Lastly, I would like to thank the Lord above for giving me the strength and will to finish this program, without Him, everything would not be possible. Second to my beloved mother, even if she's with the Lord above. If my mother was still alive, she would be proud of me knowing that I finished my high school even though I'm here in jail, sa kanya ko inaalay and tagumpay na ito. I know she's been watching and guiding me with my struggles in life. Upon entering this institution, I didn't expect that I can finish my secondary education. At first, I was hesitant to enroll in this program, but later or maybe out of boredom, I decided to attend classes. During the course of the program, I have learned so many things in which I can apply with my life in the future. Also, I realized that having an educational attainment is like having a treasure which no one can steal.

Ang kayamanan, kapangyarihan at and iba pang mga bagay na mahalaga at magaganda ay mga mabubuting bagay na makakapagbigay sa atin ng kasiyahan. Pero hindi ito ang pinakamahalagang bagay sa buhay ng tao. Ang pinakaimportanteng bagay sa buhay ng tao ay magkaroon siya ng sapat na edukasyon na magagmit niya sa pag-unlad ng sarili at sa katuparan ng kanyang mga pangarap na nais niyang maabot sa buhay.

To my fellow boarders and passers, sa loob ng sampung buwan na ating pinaghirapan, pagtitiis, pagsisikap at pagpapahalaga sa pag-aaral. Nakamit na natin ngayon ang tagumpay na ating inaasam-asam. Sa wakas nakapagtapos na tayo ng ating sekondarya. Ito na ang simula ng ating panibagong buhay, panibagong pag-asa tungo sa ikauunlad ng ating mga sarili at sa magandang kinabukasang naghihintay. Naway hindi lamang dito nagtatapos ang lahat ng ating mga pangarap. Patuloy tayong magsikap at magpursige, mangarap tayo hindi lamang para sa ating sarili maging sa mahal natin sa buhay. Alam kong mahirap ang mga pinagdadaanan natin dito sa loob, sana'y huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa at manalig tayo palagi sa Diyos.

HIndi tayo narito ngayon upang parusahan, bagkus nandito tayo para pagalingin hindi sa pisikal nating karamdaman kundi sa ating mga pagkataong nabubulok, mga gawain at paniniwalang baluktot na nakakasira sa ating sarili. Narito tayo upang ihanda na maging isang mabuting tao na may takot sa Diyos, may pagmamahal sa sarili at paggalanbg sa kapwa upang maging isang mabuting ehemplo na makakpag-ambag ng kaunlaran sa kanyang pamayanan.

Minsan na tayong nagkamali, huwag na nating ulitin pa, panahon na upang imulat natin ang mga mata at isipan para sa pagbabagong buhay. Patuloy nating iisipin na ang edukasyon ay mahalaga. Ito ang solusyon at paraan upang makaahon tayo sa kahirapan. Sapat na edukasyon buhay ay giginhawa. Patuloy tayong maging mabuting ehemplo sa mga kapwa boarders na sumusunod sa patakaran hanggang kalayaang inaasam ay makamtan. Congratulations sa ating lahat. Mabuhay ang "ALS", mabuhay ang BJMP, mabuhay ang mga guro. Mabuhay at magandang umaga sa ating lahat. Keep on dreaming. God bless everyone.

A.B.L.E Goodjao!

2nd A.B.L.E Graduation of Sama Dilaut Tribe (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

They tend to shy away from the crowd. They feel like they are different from the "Bisaya".

These are just some of the barriers that seem to keep the Badjao community of barangay Bucana in Davao City away from elevating themselves in terms of literacy.

(Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Just like anyone else, the Sama Dilaut Tribe in Bucana recognizes the importance of education and how will it be able to help them in their day to day survival. 

Seeing the need to help these kinds of people in the community, the Mindanao land Foundation sponsored the Adult Basic Literacy Education or ABLE to teach interested individuals with basic lessons people in the community must learn. When this project started, the "Goodjao" community responded with great interest and so this was pursued thus leading it now on its second batch of ABLE graduates. 

Since this is a big project to maintain, the ABLE was pursued in cooperation of various groups that also bear the vision of seeing the Sama Dilaut Tribe of Bucana to be learned people in the community. The project was funded by a German organization Misereor and was assisted by the God's People Christian Church (GPCC) led by Pastor Eleonor Saniel, Head Pastor and Pastor Kerby Dimas. Of course, this was assisted by the supportive Barangay Local Government Unit with the help of the BHW and BNS. 

2nd batch of A.B.L.E Graduates having their presentation (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

2nd batch of A.B.L.E Graduates having their presentation (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

The ABLE helped the "Goodjao" students ages 38-63 learn basic reading, writing and computing skills. During their 2nd ALS Graduation, the students showed in a live presentation what they learned in their reading and math class. They even spoke of their thanksgiving to all who helped and supported their learning journey. You can really see in their eyes and smiles that they are very happy of the achievement they unlocked. The graduating class then sang a song of praise to the Lord (Give Thanks) in their own language. The older ones sang the song with all their heart, singing praises to Isah Almaseh (Jesus Christ) for the opportunity He has given them.

2nd batch of A.B.L.E Graduates having their presentation (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Old women students of the 2nd batch of A.B.L.E Graduates (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

A student showing the crowd about her learning in Math (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

The activity ended with an awarding ceremony and speeches of some key people who made the project happen. The class and the organizing team also gave their big thank you to Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta for all the support she extended.

Team Acosta Moringa Tuna Lugaw (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Team Acosta then served the hot Moringa Tuna Lugaw in which everyone excitingly shared.

Team Acosta serving Moringa Tuna Lugaw (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

There is never too late in learning if you are willing and eager to take new things in life.

Article by: Allen Faith L. Cape 

Goodjao Community visitation

Afternoon visit at Brgy 76-A Bucana, Adult literacy "Goodjao" Community headed by Purok leader Carleole Arquillano and Pastor Bobby Amsaludin together with Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, Dr. Maria Ines, Asuncion CESO VI, LSB Schools Division Supt., Engr. Armando Morales, Science Dept. Supervisor, Ms. Janeth Esteban, ALS Head, and Ms. Fe Pasamonte, Senior High Coordinator.

This ocular inspection was conducted by the Department of Education-Division in partnership with the Office of Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta for a possible implementation of an Adult Literacy Program for the benefit of the Badjao community under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of DepEd. 

‪

Inside Maa City Jail (ALS Materials Turn-over)

Mr. Ianne Monfort, Ms. Luna Acosta and Maa City Jail Authorities (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Education is for everyone. All human beings have the right to acquire knowledge no matter what their status is. For the inmates of Maa City Jail, this is very real. They may be bound with prison bars yet their desire to learn still continues. 

Prison cells may keep them from going to school and study just like a regular student, the eager inmates still pursued their dream of finishing school through enrolling to the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Photo credit: Team Acosta

ALS student Inmates of Maa City Jail (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Maa City Jail Detainee (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Student-inmates of Maa City Jail (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Student-inmates of Maa City Jail (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Currently, Maa City Jail has 120 ALS Students. 25 of whom are elementary students and the rest are highschool. According to Mr. Ianne Monfort, 20 of their students are still not able to read and write. That is why they are trying their best to encourage the students to finish their studies. Also, Mr. Monfort added that if majority of their students will be able to pass highschool, they might offer college next month.

Family: Student-inmates of Maa City Jail (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Family: Student-inmates of Maa City Jail (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Detainee of Maa City Jail (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

In this wonderful opportunity, Team Acosta was able to be part of their learning experience. September 21, 2015, Team Acosta visited Maa City Jail (Male Prison) to turn-over the materials donated by the office to help and support the inmates in their ALS journey. The turn-over was attended by JO2 Sherwinkit Academia, ALS Instructional Manager Head and was spearheaded by Mr. Ianne Monfort. The audience was also entertained by DCJ Artist Guild with their body stretching dance number.

DCJ Artist Guild (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

DCJ Artist Guild (Photo credit: Team Acosta

DCJ Artist Guild (Photo credit: Team Acosta

Representing Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta, Monique Luna Acosta gave her short inspirational message to the students encouraging them that they finish and value the education given to them. Ms. Luna turned over 1 sack of rice, laminated IDs for the students, Livelihood Manuals, long bond paper and packs of coffee.

Luna Acosta giving her inspirational message to the inmates (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Turn-over of materials for ALS (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Luna Acosta with Davao City Jail Authorities (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Distribution of IDs (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Distribution of IDs (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

After the short ceremony, Maa City Jail authorities toured Team Acosta inside their prison facilities just like their E-Dalaw area, Livelihood area and IT room. Team Acosta was able to see the artistic crafts of the inmates and was even able to buy their world class products.

Inmates carving in their Livelihood area (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Inmates doing their crafts in their Livelihood area (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

One of the products of the inmates (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

One of the products of the inmates (Photo credit: Team Acosta

Inmates carving in their Livelihood area (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Team Acosta would also like to thank Maa City Jail authorities for the token we received from the smiling and happy family of BJMP. We hope that this is the beginning of our long partnership!

Team Acosta (Photo credit: Team Acosta)

(Photo credit: Team Acosta)

Team Acosta (Photo credit: Team Acosta)