USEP K-12 Presscon

(Photo credit: Team Acosta)

 K to 12 is the flagship program of the Philippine Government to reform and revitalize the basic education in the country. The last major component of said program is the Senior High School Program which will commence in the school year of 2016.

(Photo credit: Team Acosta)

With its implementation, there are questions on the preparation and readiness of various sectors, including the implementing agencies. With that in mind, the students of the Doctor of Education course on Public Relations in Education of the University of Southeastern Philippines conducted a press conference last 10-October, 2015 at the College of Education, to understand more the readiness of the city of Davao for the K to 12 Program.

(Photo credit: Team Acosta)

(Photo credit: Team Acosta)

With the theme “Sharing of Trends, Achievements and Challenges on the K-to-12, the conference was participated by different local media and some guests. Councilor Mabel Acosta was also invited as one of the panel to talk about the initiatives and achievements of the local government of Davao City in supporting the K to 12 Program.

A RESOLUTION URGING THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIs) IN DAVAO CITY TO CONSIDER THE APPEAL OF THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) IN AL

A Resolution Proposed by Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta

during February 23, 2010 Regular Session of the 15th City Council

A RESOLUTION URGING THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIs)

IN DAVAO CITY TO CONSIDER THE APPEAL OF THE

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) IN ALLOWING

STUDENTS WITH DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS TO TAKE THEIR EXAMS

WHEREAS, higher education institutions (HEIs) in the city have imposed an increase in tuition and school fees every passing school year;

WHEREAS, Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 (Education Act of 1982), and Republic Act 7722 (Higher Education Act of 1994) grant the authority to the HEIs to impose these increases, subject to certain rules and regulations;

WHEREAS, CHED Memo Order No. 07, Series of 2007, which amended Section 8 of CHED Memo Order No. 14, Series of 2005, further provides that any increase in the tuition and other fees in all levels to be made by private HEIs shall be subject to consultation with stakeholders and approval of the CHED;

WHEREAS, it has been the practice of HEIs to proscribe students who have outstanding financial obligations with the school from taking their examinations unless and until they have fully settled their accounts;

WHEREAS, due to financial constraints and because of the escalating school fees, many students often delay the payment of their towering school obligations and consequently, they are not able to take their mandatory tests on time;

WHEREAS, recognizing the present economic downturn and the burden of swelling school fees to parents and students alike, CHED issued Memorandum Order No. 02 on January 22, 2010, calling to all private HEIs for flexibility in the implementation of the “No Permit, No Examination” policy or any such policy that prohibits students from taking their periodic or final examinations due to unpaid tuition and other school fees;

WHEREAS, we understand that HEIs are not without reasons for the imposition of increases in the school fees, given that they have to pay the salaries of their teaching and non-teaching personnel, and for the upgrade of their facilities, among others;

WHEREAS, we believe that solutions other than the “No Permit, No Examination” policy can be formed which would address both the need of the HEIs to collect payment from their students and the need of the students to take their exams in compliance with their school requirements;

WHEREAS, the cost of living nowadays has soared dramatically and the cost of education has become too expensive a commodity for ordinary Filipinos;

WHEREAS, it would be a tragedy when the education of our youth becomes a casualty to the economic demands of our educational institutions;

WHEREFORE, premises considered, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that a resolution be passed urging the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Davao City to consider the appeal of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in allowing students with delinquent accounts to take their exams;

RESOLVED FURTHER, that copies of this resolution be furnished to Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Davao Association of Colleges and Universities, the City Mayor’s Office, the City Legal Office, and to all others concerned for their information and guidance.

MABEL SUNGA ACOSTA

City Councilor, 1^st District

No Permit, No Exam

Privilege Speech of Coun. Mabel Sunga Acosta

Re: NO PERMIT, NO EXAM

Delivered during February 23, 2010 Regular Session of the 15th City Council

Madam President, my colleagues in the City Council, friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen, Maayong buntag.

I rise on a personal and collective privilege to take up the “No Permit, No Exam” policy of some higher educational institutions (HEIs) in connection with the CHED Memorandum Order No. 02, issued by Mr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles, Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), last January 22, 2010. Said CHED Memo essentially appeals to HEIs for flexibility in the implementation of “No Permit, No Examination Policy” or any such policy that prohibits students from taking their periodic or final examinations due to unpaid tuition and other school fees.

As a background Madam President, the provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 (Education Act of 1982), and Republic Act 7722 (Higher Education Act of 1994) grant the authority to the HEIs to impose increase in the tuition and other school fees, subject to rules and regulations. However, CHED Memo Order No. 07, series of 2007, which amended Section 8 of CHED Memo Order No. 14, series of 2005, provides that any increases in the tuition and other fees in all levels to be made by private HEIs shall be subject to consultation with stakeholders… and approval of the CHED.

In sum, the HEIs, Madam President, can therefore increase their tuition and other school fees provided they comply with the provisions and guidelines contained under the existing laws and issuances of the CHED. It is for this reason, Madam President, why increases in tuition and other school fees have become a perennial concern of our parents and students whenever the opening of classes would come.

Madam President, it is a known fact that increases in tuition and other school fees have continue to become unabated every school year. Thus, considering the economic difficulties by many of our fellow Filipinos, the yearly increases in the said school fees have obviously become too much a burden for our parents and students to bear.

Generally, Madam President, due to economic hardship, many students often delay the payment of their towering school obligations. Thus, many HEIs often impose the “No Permit, No Exam Policy” to forbid students from taking their periodic or final examinations unless they pay the balances of their unpaid tuition fees and other school charges. That is precisely why, Madam President, CHED Memorandum Order No. 02, series of 2010, was issued – to provide a momentary yet welcome relief to parents and students who are financially hard-up in life.

Madam President, the rationale for the issuance of Memo No. 02, series of 2010, is contained in Section 1 thereof which provides, if I may read:

“Section 1. Rationale and Background

The recent economic recession has greatly affected most of the countries in the world, including the Philippines, As prices in the world market rise, the cost of basic commodities and services in the country becomes prohibitive. Education is one of the basic services that are often affected in times of economic recession. Filipino families value education in view of its role in poverty alleviation and total human capital formation. The government likewise recognizes that this is vital to the attainment of the nation’s development goals. Consequently, the unabated increases in tuition and other school fees has unduly burned affected families and students enrolled in HEIs across the nation.”

Madam President, we understand that our HEIs are not without reasons for the imposition of increases in the school fees. We understand that for the most part, a huge percentage of the money collected from the increases go to the salaries of the HEIs’ teaching and non-teaching personnel, and for the upgrade of the HEIs facilities. We understand that the law allows HEIs to determine their rate of tuition and other school fees, subject to rules and regulations. And the government, particularly the CHED, can only do very little to prevent the proposed increases in tuition and other school fees. CHED for the most part can only appeal to HEIs to not impose increases, postpone such increases, and in the case of CHED Memo Order No. 02, series of 2010, allow students to take their exams despite the outstanding school fees and obligations.

Time has greatly changed, Madam President, and the cost of living has soared dramatically for ordinary people to afford; wages have not really increased substantially, and the cost of education has become too expensive a commodity for the ordinary Filipinos. Madam President, I feel for our parents and students, and I feel for our HEIs as well.

However, I believe that education should not be deprived for financial/economic reasons alone. In this regard, Madam President, I urge our HEIs to consider the appeal of CHED in Memo Order No. 02, series of 2010, and allow students with delinquent account to take their exams.

Thank you, Madam President.

One of the Best!

“Muslims, Christians and Lumads converge in Mindanao. Peace and stability in that region rests on the people’s ability to live in harmony. Local School Boards know the local situation best and are critical to building this peace through better education. Davao City, through Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and City Councilor Mabel Acosta, chairman of the council committee on education, has built a strong Local School Board over the past decade that could serve as a model for other cities.”

One of the best

By Roger M. Balanza

Education is a major focus of the administration of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Without fanfare, Davao City has established basic foundations in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), other national government agencies and private educational institutions to make the city’s educational system one of the best in the country.

At the core of this initiative is the Local School Board which links with DepEd to provide scholarship, infrastructures, salaries for teachers and other basic needs of the local public school system.

Outside of the public school system, the city government locks arms with private institutions to support their programs and projects and establish conditions for students to pursue their education in a safe community.

This article, from an outsider who has extensive background on the Philippine educational system, should place Davao City on top of the heap among local government units in terms of seriousness and dedication to provide for the education of children.

The author, Juan Miguel Luz, is the associate dean of the Center for Development Management at the Asian Institute of Management. He can be reached at juanmiguel.luz@gmail.com and www.mikeluz.net.

Source: DURIANBURGDAVAO

Davao City Education Program Praised - On Education

Education

A key driver of growth

By Juan Miguel Luz

FOR SCHOOLS in Mindanao, Manila is too far away to be responsive to local situations. Concerns are likely to get lost in the competition for attention in the Department of Education (DepEd).

Local School Boards (LSB) are the key to making local decisions that meet local needs. LSBs were created by the Local Government Code to help fund public school needs through the Special Education Fund. But LSBs can do much more than that.

The Davao City LSB is a case in point. More than just funding shortfalls, it has focused on interventions that, in my view, provide system-wide solutions for the entire system.

Over the past nine years, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who sees education as a key driver of growth, and councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, who has managed the city’s education agenda as chair of the committee on education, have led the Davao City LSB.

Three very able superintendents have co-chaired the LSB in that period: Dr. Susana Estigoy (now regional director for Southern Mindanao), Dr. Gloria Labor (who retired mid-2007) and Dr. Helen Paguican. Other members include the city treasurer, the president of the Sangguniang Kabataan, the president of the city federation of Parents-Teachers Associations, the representative of teachers’ organizations and the representative of non-academic personnel of public schools.

Davao City has a significant Muslim population, both indigenous (Kalagan and Sama) and from across Mindanao (Maguindanaoan, Maranao, Badjao), a sizeable indigenous Lumad populace and migrants from the Visayas and Luzon. As the largest city in Mindanao, Davao City has 286 public elementary and 69 public high schools with over 250,000 students and 6,671 teachers (SY 2009-2010). Because of the city’s ethno-linguistic diversity, it is one of the most complex school systems in the country.

Over the past two years, the Davao City LSB has worked with an annual budget of P177 million (2008) and P204 million (2009) to fund:

Salaries of locally funded public school teachers (123 elementary and 178 secondary) to help fill the teacher shortage;

School health and nutrition, including bio-intensive gardens in 50 elementary schools for school feeding;

School-building construction and furniture;

Workbooks, materials and supplies;

Payment of water and electricity for public schools;

School sports.

These expenditures are common for LSBs nationwide. However, the Davao City LSB has pioneered in four specific areas where the potential of LSBs can best be realized.

First, it has become the venue for reviewing school and teacher performance. To succeed, these reviews have to be fair and critical. The Davao City LSB has taken politics out of teacher appointments and promotions by subjecting these to a multi-stakeholder process.

Second, in late 2002, Acosta (in her first term) brought to the attention of DepEd the issue of teacher payroll as a teacher welfare concern. With salaries paid by central office checks, she argued that because of the distance, local teachers found it very difficult to deal with the DepEd central office regarding salary discrepancies like underpayment and over-deduction. The LSB solution: regional payroll servicing.

In 2004, Region XI was the first region to decentralize teacher payroll. All teacher payroll was subsequently decentralized to regional offices nationwide by 2005.

Third, in early 2005, Davao City became one of the first three cities to set up a Library Hub to provide public schools more access to books as a way to bring up the low reading rates of elementary pupils. This was a partnership between Dole Asia, a private company that provided the seed fund, the city government which helped with the venue (an old warehouse near city hall), and DepEd. Today, over 200 Library Hubs have been set up nationwide.

The most innovative program of the Davao City LSB, however, has been its support for Madaris education as far back as 2001, even before the DepEd moved on this. An ALIVE (Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education) curriculum was developed with the DepEd to help Muslim Filipino children acquire a deeper appreciation of their culture as well as give them better learning opportunities in English, science and math.

Today, the Davao City LSB supports ALIVE in 30 public elementary schools and funds an ALIVE coordinator who supervises 104 asatidz (learned teachers) who handle the two subjects.

Finally, under the management of Acosta and Paguican, the LSB has set up a Davao City School Board Data Bank System that tracks school-by-school performance, a GIS-based school location map (to locate high schools and feeder elementary schools and match this with schooling indicators) and a joint program with the Institute of Indigenous People’s Education (IIPE) to provide a more responsive education experience for the city’s Lumad population.

Muslims, Christians and Lumads converge in Mindanao. Peace and stability in that region rests on the people’s ability to live in harmony. Local School Boards know the local situation best and are critical to building this peace through better education. Davao City, through Duterte and Acosta, has built a strong Local School Board over the past decade that could serve as a model for other cities.

BRIGADA CONTINUES...

The adage “It takes a village to raise a child” is never more true than when the Brigada Eskwela (National Schools Maintenance) Program is put into operation nationwide every year. Given that Filipinos place a high value on education, almost everyone is willing to offer his/her assistance in ensuring that our kids stay in school by providing a safe and healthy academic atmosphere. During the National Schools Maintenance week, most Brigada supporters dole out construction materials to their selected schools, while others offer only their time and industry; some, however, contribute both...like the Davao Agila Riders.

On May 22, 2009, the Davao Agila Riders, in cooperation with the Office of Council Mabel Sunga Acosta, went to Gov. Vicente Duterte National High School in Bangkal, Davao City and did their share of civic duty in participating in this year’s Brigada Eskwela. They donated bags of cement, hollow blocks, steel bars, and the like in support of the fencing project of the school which the principal, Mr. Romeo Camilotes, is endeavouring to complete in order to curb the truancy incidents of the students. They likewise gave gallons and gallons of paint which the Riders and Team Mabel themselves utilized in painting several classrooms inside out.

The Davao Agila Riders is a motorcycle club founded on 2002. Its current president is Engr. Ohmar Peñalosa and it has a membership of around 30 bikers.

LAUNCH OF BRIGADA ESKWELA 2009

In line with the annual implementation of the Brigada Eskwela Program of the Department of Education, the Office of Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta visited two (2) public schools last May 18, 2009 to contribute their time, supply and labor in improving the physical condition of the schools with the aim of providing a more conducive learning environment for our schoolchildren.

First stop was J.P. Laurel Elementary School along Bajada, which is headed by the school administrator, Mr. Rogelio Gargar. Armed with paintbrushes, paint rollers, gallons of paint, broomsticks, and a dustpan, Team Mabel painted white the area immediate to the school stage and cleaned as well the surroundings around it and the school gate.

Afterwards, Team Mabel went to Communal Elementary School in Buhangin District. After being warmly welcomed by the principal, Ms. Olivia dela Rama, Team Mabel proceeded to toil under the harsh sun together with some parents of the students and a few faculty members: cutting errant grasses, sweeping the school grounds, and painting the flagpole, bust of Rizal, and the school’s inner fences.

Councilor Acosta herself placed a visit to Communal Elementary School to check on the state of the said school. Earlier that day, the Councilor went to Buhangin Elementary School to join in the Brigada Eskwela caravan spearheaded by the DepEd Regional Office. The caravan jumped off from Calinan Central Elementary School and made short stopovers at Tugbok Elementary School, Tugbok High School and Buhangin Elementary School. Its last stop was at T.V. Fernandez National High School in Indangan where the official kick off for this year’s Brigada Eskwela was made.

From Buhangin Elementary School, Councilor Acosta dropped by at Don Francisco Dizon Elementary School in Bacaca where she roamed around the school grounds and mingled with the parents. Subsequently, she went to T.V. Fernandez National High School to participate in the formal launch of the Brigada Eskwela Program in the city, before heading towards Communal Elementary School, her last stop for the day.

Special thanks are extended to the following entities for the success of the Brigada Eskwela: Davao Agila Riders, Davao Horseriders Club, Amon Marketing, DabaweGnu, and Tau Mu Sorority.

Turn-over of ceiling fan to Andres Bonifacio Elementary School

Ms. Asuncion Infiesto (3rd from the left), Principal of Andres Bonifacio Elementary School, Talomo District, Davao City together with her co-teachers, received one unit ceiling fan on January 23, 2008 from the Office of Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, represented by Mr. Ariel Capidos.  

IIPE KASAMONGAN 08 FESTIVAL

Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta delivers her
message for the official declaration of Kasamongan '08 last August 20, 2008 at Pagawanan Garden, IIPE, Mabini St. Kasamongan is an annual activity that serves as a monitoring mechanism on the implementation of IP Education Curriculum, which was developeed by DepEd through Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM).

Also in the festival were Mr. Ramon C. Bobier- Community Development Adviser of BEAM DAPD, Dr. Ian D'arcy Walsh- Australian Project Director of BEAM, and representatives from Department of Education region and division.

The Biya ng Kasamongan candidates.

Pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika

Ateneo de Davao High School Department celebrates BUWAN NG WIKA on August 19, 2008 at the school's Sports Complex, with its theme: "Wika Mo, Wikang Filipino, Wika ng Mundo, Mahalaga". Councilor Mabel Acosta as guest of honor and speaker shares the importance of communication with the use of our own Wikang Filipino, despite the rise of the ever developing communication technology, which greatly affects our medium of communication.

Mayor Duterte of Davao City and Juan Miguel Luz of IIRR sign MOA to Improve the Health, Participation, and Achievement of Schoolchildren in Davao City

Seen in the photo are Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and International Institute of Rural Reconstruction President Juan Miguel Luz, signing the Memorandum of Agreement made and entered into by and between the Local Government Unit of Davao City and the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) for the implementation of the Bio-Intensive Gardening project. Behind them are City Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, Chairperson of the Committee on Education of the Davao City Council, and Dr. Helen D. Paguican, Schools Division Superintendent of Davao City, who stood as witnesses to the signing of the said Memorandum of Agreement.
The project will introduce productive bio-intensive gardens to fifty (50) public elementary schools in the School Division of Davao City with Ma-a Elementary School identified as the demo-site by the Local School Board during its recently held strategic planning workshop.
The goal of the project is to utilize school feeding as a strategy for improving school attendance by addressing the poor/under-nutrition and related health problems of children in the primary grades (Grades 1-3) in the public elementary schools in Davao City.
This joint endeavor of the City Government, with the City providing the necessary budget for the implementation of the project, and the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), with IIRR providing the trainor who will train the 50 school representatives, demonstrates the commitment of the Local Government in improving the educational conditions of our students.

COUNCILOR MABEL ACOSTA SUPPORTS ADDU STUDENT CONCOM

Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta was invited to give an inspirational message to the student-members of the Constitutional Commission of SAMAHAN, the ADDU student council. The meeting was held last Friday, 6:00pm at F408 (Finster building) of the Ateneo de Davao University, Jacinto campus. The Commission, chaired by Ms. Liezel F. Salera, met for the proposed amendment of the SAMAHAN’s constitution. It was formally opened by James Chew, SAMAHAN president. Also present was Atty. John Mahamud who shared his inputs as well, being a past active member of the same student body apart from his other involvements when he was in the undergrad.

As Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Councilor Acosta is delighted that students are becoming more politically aware and involved. For this endeavor, she gives her all-out support to the SAMAHAN. This is also to encourage every student in each school to take active participation in school activities, whether they may be co- or extra-curricular.

TAMBOBONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VISITATION

After visiting Kidali Primary School in Sitio Kidali, Brgy. Tambobong, Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, the rest of team Mabel and DepEd personnel proceeded to the more populated Tambobong Elementary School located in the center of the said barangay, to hand over as well some educational materials, medicines and sport equipments for the school.

Established in the 1950’s, the school has a population of around 800 students from Grade 1 to Grade 6, and is composed of 20 teachers, 17 of whom are national paid, while 3 are Local School Board (LSB) paid. It is headed by its School-In-Charge Mrs. Alma Tac-on, who has been engaged in the teaching profession for more than 20 years.

Upon arriving at the said school, Councilor Acosta and her team, were greeted by Mrs. Alma Tac-on, SIC, and Mr. Rodelio Felipe, Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) President. The said school officials further extended their hospitality by preparing a delicious lunch for the Councilor and her companions. After having lunch, Councilor Acosta and the school teachers gladly posed for some photo ops.

SCHOOL VISITATION AT KIDALI PRIMARY SCHOOL IN BAGUIO DISTRICT

Seen in the photo is Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, who recently surprised the school officials, pupils of Kidali Primary School as well as the community leaders of Sitio Kidali, Barangay Tambobong, Baguio District, this City, when the good councilor visited the said school.

It was on February 6, 2008, when Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, together with the rest of team Mabel, ascended the rugged terrain of Brgy. Tambobong, Baguio District, to see for herself the status of the pupils in the remote Kidali Primary School. In the said visit, team Mabel accompanied by officials of Brgy. Tambobong, DepEd and DCWD personnel, handed over to Mr. Rolan Buat, T1/SIC, of Kidali Primary School, some educational materials, medicines and sport equipments.

Kidali Primary School, established in 2006, is currently composed of two (2) teachers, Mr. Rolan Buat, T1/SIC, who teaches grade 2, and Ms. Rhylyn Agad, who teaches grade 1. The school has around 80 students, many of whom, according to Mr. Buat, have to walk for hours just to arrive at the school site. Mr. Buat added that it plans to open a grade 3 class in the next school year, when the coming enrollment would yield a considerable number of enrollees.

The said visit of Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta is in line with her sworn duty as the Chairperson of the Committee Education, Science & Technology and Arts & Culture of the 15^th City Council.