Education Secretary Mona Valisno said that a set of urgent concerns will be presented to the next administration, top among which is the salary adjustment of teachers.

“I will be former secretary by July 1. But the team at DepEd will bridge with President Noynoy our concerns as he committed that education will be a priority in his administration,” said Valisno.

Earlier this week, an association of public school teachers nationwide pressed DepEd for the prompt implementation of the salary adjustment of teachers under the Salary Standardization Law III (SSL3) approved by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in June last year.

Valisno revealed that the Department will make representations with teachers on SSL III through DepEd’s agency transition officials including Legal Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Sunga, Undersecretary for Finance Manaros Bonansing, and Assistant Secretary Special Projects and Legislative Affairs Jonathan Malaya.

Source: Manila Bulletin, June 26, 2010, Ina Hernandez- Malipot

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Amid state and local budget cuts, cash-poor urban districts like New York City and Los Angeles, which once hired thousands of young people every spring, have taken down the help-wanted signs.

A number of Filipino teachers started their trek to the U.S. in 2004 when 268 were deployed to unified school districts rising to 488 in 2005, 521 in 2006, 971 in 2007, 865 in 2008.

In 2009 only 255 were able to reach the U.S. mainland.

This year, job orders for teachers at the POEA are down as America comes to grips with slashed school budgets. Because of this, many teachers were forced to go on leave and school days were reduced so that the school district budgets can be stretched further.

Most of the Filipino teachers specialized in Math, Science and Special Education. Many of them came from exclusive private schools and an exceptional few from national schools.

Recruitment consultant Emmanuel Geslani reported from Los Angeles that new applicants are being turned away despite having passed the rigorous California teacher’s exam or CBEST. Furloughs or forced leaves for teachers were given as California is beset with financial troubles.

At the University of Pennsylvania, most of the 90 aspiring teachers who graduated last weekend are jobless. Many had counted on offers from the Philadelphia public schools but had their interviews canceled this month after the district announced a hiring freeze.

Here are the results:
LET Results 2010 Elementary Level
LET Results 2010 Secondary Level

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Education on Thursday directed all school heads to immediately remove all campaign posters within and around school premises.

Education Secretary Mona Valisno said the order was in accordance to DepEd Order No. 10, s. 2010 that outlines the “Clean Schools, Clean Elections Campaign” of the government.

At the same time, Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya reminded school executives to put the sign: “In compliance with DepEd policy, this school PROHIBITS the posting of campaign materials in school premises. Violators will be PROSECUTED to the fullest extent of the law.”

“We are reminding our division superintendents and school heads to place the signage immediately and to remove all campaign posters, otherwise they will be subject to disciplinary action where applicable,” he said.

Malaya added that monitoring teams will be organized in every region which will report to the nearest DepEd Division or Regional Office of any violations of the said order.

According to Valisno, the order is to ensure and maintain the neutrality and non-partisan stance of schools and the teachers in the upcoming automated elections.

“We need to maintain the integrity and neutrality of our schools and teachers in the coming elections,” said Valisno.

She noted that public schools have been plastered with campaign posters of candidates in anticipation of the automated elections on May 10.

“Since the school is a polling place, no campaign materials must be posted or distributed outside school premises including grounds in front and areas around it such as walls, fences and sidewalks,” the education secretary said.

She also urged incumbent local officials and other concerned citizens to implement and observe the DepEd order.

“We appeal to incumbent local officials, the police and concerned citizens to help us keep our schools free of campaign materials,” she added.

Concerned citizens may report violations to the Office of Under Secretary Franklin Sunga at 633-7205 or call the DepEd Action Center at 636-1663 or send a text message to 0919-456-0027.

Source: Inquirer.net

In her acceptance speech at the turnover, she made it clear that all programs and policies that former DepEd secretary Jesli Lapus left will be implemented according to schedule.

Valisno brushed aside speculations that the change in leadership could adversely affect the May 10 elections and the continuity of current programs and resolution of issues on certain Magna Carta for Teachers provisions.

She stressed she has no plans of altering any preparations in the May polls, least jeopardize the smooth flow of election activities. She has also no intentions of obstructing any party list whose goal is to look after the benefit of teachers or educators.

As regards certain provisions in the Magna Carta for Teachers, Valisno said she needs to be briefed on the status of all the negotiations, dialogues, and agreements that have been reached and the next steps that have to be pursued.

“The President and I have always acknowledged how important teachers are, so we understand the plight of teachers, we sympathize with them, and promise to take care of their concerns,” Valisno emphasized.

Instead of spreading baseless humors, Valisno encouraged everyone to help DepEd realize its objective of helping Filipino children, especially the poor, realize their dreams though education.  Education is the best social equalizer, “ito ang mabisang paraan para makaahon sa kahirapan,” she said.

Being the foundation of education, basic education under the care of DepEd, therefore, plays a crucial role for our children’s education as it carries the huge task of uplifting the lives of poor children so they can be productive and responsible citizen someday, she added.

She added that the Arroyo administration places great emphasis on the important role of education giving it one of the biggest shares in the national budget, representing about 29-percent and singled out the priority for the basic education with DepEd having 95 percent of the total budget for education.

Source: Manila Bulletin, March 16, 2010

In an interview with Inquirer editors and reporters on Tuesday night, Aquino said reforming the country’s education system would be a priority if he were elected.

“Why do we keep on accepting these erroneous textbooks? (Education officials) are authorized to issue contracts every five years and yet when the book is produced, there are 500 errors,” Aquino said. “This is my pet peeve.”

He said that he would give DepEd officials a chance if he were elected but if error-filled textbooks still came out, those responsible would face the full force of the law.

“I’ll tell them let’s say sorry to each other. There’s nonfeasance, misfeasance, malfeasance. Throw the book at them,” Aquino said.

He said that he would also try to end the classroom shortage in the country so that students would no longer have to endure their classes in shifts.

“You will need P20 billion at P500,000 per classroom. We had P40 billion for ZTE (the scuttled national broadband project) but we can’t have that P20 billion for schools. So, your child has three subjects per class period. He gets a textbook that is so full of errors,” Aquino said.

“The state wanted to have a headline ‘We’ve finished the classroom shortage problem’ but they did it by double, triple, and even quadruple shifting,” he added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

It also ordered the schools to keep their graduation rites solemn yet simple and austere especially due to difficulties brought about by recent natural calamities.

DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus said in the order that the graduating rites should be conducted in an appropriate solemn ceremony befitting the graduating students and their parents and shall not in any way be used as a venue for political forum.

Lapus reiterated the department’s policy on the conduct and collection of fees for graduation rites, where public schools are not allowed to collect graduation fees or any contribution for graduation rites.

While the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), however, may solicit minimal voluntary contributions from members for graduation ceremonies and celebration, teachers and principals should not be involved in it.

On the other hand, Lapus said there should be no extravagance in graduation rites, adding holding the graduation in school premises is encouraged.

Also, Lapus said there should be no special attire for the ceremonies. While wearing togas are allowed, only the actual cost of rental of togas (will be shouldered) by the graduating class.

Lapus also stressed contributions for the annual yearbook will be on a voluntary basis only.

Source: Philippine Information Agency

The PAGC cited the education department in the Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) 2009 Awards. DepEd was cited for the first and second quarter of 2009.

“We are very happy to receive this recognition. This shows that DepEd’s thrust of implementing policies that conform to the ethical standard of public service is bearing fruit,” said Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus.

The awards were given based on how the agencies performed on anti-graft and corruption measures in compliance with the requirements of IDAP in 2009.

“This boosts the department’s morale and inspires us to do even better as public servants,” Lapus said.

IDAP is in line with the government’s efforts to fight graft and corruption in the executive branch. It is composed of 22 “do-ables” or specific anti-corruption measures which are clustered into strategies of prevention, education, investigation and enforcement, and strategic partnership.

On the other hand, deterrence is the effort to make corruption a high-risk, low reward activity by establishing an effective system to encourage public support, quick response, effective prosecution and disciplinary action, professionalism, and publicity in successful cases.

Strategic partnership is enjoining the support of the public in the fight against graft and corruption through strategic partnership.

“In whatever we do, we should always strive to do it with integrity, transparency, and efficiency so that we can deliver better public service,” Lapus said.

The DepEd was ranked the least corrupt agency and number one in public approval rating in a 2009 Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan survey. Secretary Lapus was also cited best performing Cabinet secretary in the same poll.

Source: Manila Bulletin

The Department of Education, in Order No. 13, also ordered the schools to keep their graduation rites solemn yet simple and austere.

“The graduating rites should be conducted in an appropriate solemn ceremony befitting the graduating students and their parents and shall not in any way be used as a venue for political forum,” DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus said in the order.

In the past, many schools usually invite political figures to speak at graduation rites. During election time, these politicians take the opportunity to campaign before their captured audience, in particular to parents and guests of the graduating students.

In the same department order, Lapus said the rites should be as simple as possible, especially due to difficulties brought about by recent natural calamities.

Lapus reiterated the department’s policy on the conduct and collection of fees for graduation rites, where public schools are not allowed to collect graduation fees or any contribution for graduation rites.

While the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), however, may solicit minimal voluntary contributions from members for graduation ceremonies and celebration, teachers and principals should not be involved in it.

The use of contributions are to be coordinated with and properly reported to the PTA, Lapus said, adding that no non-academic project will be imposed as a requirement for graduation.

On the other hand, he said there should be no extravagance in graduation rites.

“No extraordinary venue for ceremonies should be required,” he said, adding holding the graduation in school premises is encouraged.

Also, Lapus said there should be no special attire for the ceremonies.

While wearing togas are allowed, “only the actual cost of rental of togas (will be shouldered) by the graduating class,” he said.

Lapus also stressed contributions for the annual yearbook will be on a voluntary basis only.

Source: RSJ, GMANews.TV

In a statement, DepEd said all of its 554,000 employees—most of them teachers—have received their P7,000 bonus, also referred to as the Productivity Enhancement Incentive. But it was short of the P10,000 Christmas bonus President Macapagal-Arroyo promised last year to all government employees.

The P7,000 bonus per employee came from the national government while the remaining P3,000 should have been sourced from the savings of the respective agencies.

To complete the bonuses, the DepEd needs P1.6 billion, of which only P550 million in savings have been released so far.

But in the same statement, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus promised that, as agreed with the Department of Budget and Management, “the additional P3,000 bonus of the teachers will be paid as soon as possible.”

He added: “If we have to sacrifice funds allocated for other programmed expenditures to give all our teachers the full benefits due them, we will do it.”

He also assured education employees in Rodriguez, Rizal, that the funds for their bonuses stolen by robbers last month will be replaced.

Armed men took away P4.9 million in cash that DepEd personnel had just withdrawn from a bank. The money was intended for the cash gifts of some 800 teachers.

“The regional office is doing its best to replace the amount from available funds,” the DepEd statement said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

“We have generated funds to replace the P4.9 million productivity enhancement incentive of Rodriguez 1 and 2 of the Division of Rizal,” Paraluman Giron, DepEd Southern Tagalog director, said in a statement.

DepEd personnel were about to deliver the cash gifts for 800 teachers in Rizal province when they were held at gunpoint by robbers.

The heist came 2 days before New Year’s Eve. The cash gifts were part of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s promised Christmas bonus for government employees.

The 800 teachers were supposed to received P7,000 each.

Meanwhile, the DepEd said almost half of the 16 DepEd regions have reported that the P7,000 bonus have been fully released to teachers.

Source: ABS-CBN News

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines–It is a happy Christmas for the family of a kidnapped Basilan university official after all.

After spending 14 days in the hands of his captors, Dr. Orlando Fajardo was finally freed, rejoining his family a few hours before Christmas.Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul said Fajardo, vice president of Basilan State College, was set free between Tipo-tipo and Tuburan towns around 9:30 p.m. Christmas eve Thursday.

Sakalahul admitted that the Fajardo family shelled out P100,000 to the kidnappers but refused to call it ransom. He said it was “board and lodging fee.”

The kidnappers initially demanded P20 million in ransom but lowered it to P3.5 million.

“No ransom was paid except for the P100,000, which was given by installment,” Sakalahul said.

Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits snatched Fajardo inside his canteen, which is just across the university compound in Isabela City.

Meanwhile, the fate of Chinese nationals Oscar Lu Tan and Michael Tan, who were kidnapped in November, remained uncertain.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

During IBM Philippines’ long history as a member of the business community here, its preference has always been to resolve any issues with clients in a constructive and respectful manner. Unfortunately, due to a series of sustained public attacks by the GSIS, IBM Philippines feels compelled to issue a clarification of the key facts that have been omitted from the public statements made by the GSIS. We completely reject the assertions made by the GSIS against IBM in paid newspaper and television advertisements, press releases and interviews with the media:
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The MOU was signed by UP-Min chancellor Professor Gilda Rivero, vice chancellor for administration Professor Miguel Soledad, vice chancellor for academic affairs Professor Emma Ruth Bayogan, NHA regional officer-in-charge Engineer Carolina Angel and Viane Negarol, chief of staff of Ungab. The agreement signing was highlighted during the UP-Min 60th anniversary celebration this week.

Rivero said the fund, which came from the congressional office of Ungab, and NHA’s services in building the dormitory was the fruit of the university administrators’ efforts to give the students the best education they could possibly give.

“The dormitory will be another manifestation of our efforts to bring the best to our students. Nagbunga na rin ang aking pangungulit sa mga (This was realized thru my frequent follow ups with) national agencies to help us become a better state school,” Rivero said.

“We’re also very happy to say that other than the P10-million fund for the dormitory, the office of Congressman Ungab has already allotted a P5-million fund for the roadway to replace the aborted road in the area,” Rivero said.

Meanwhile, Negarol said the dormitory would be constructed soon as the P10-million fund was already under a special allowance release order from the office of Ungab.

Other activities during the anniversary celebrations, UP-Min and the UP Alumni Association-Davao held the “Kasadya ug Pasiklaban” 2009 lantern parade and skit contest.

Festivities began with Kasadya, the annual UP-Mindanao Christmas lantern parade and competition. This is the second year that Kasadya was held in People’s Park. The lanterns were paraded around People’s Park and ended at the stage where the lanterns’ creators explained their meaning and significance.

The Pasiklaban (challenges) annual skit contest of the UP Alumni Association-Davao was held after the Kasadya (merrymaking).

Source: Philippines News Agency