Bacolod SK chair joins LEPT topnotchers

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Fourteen graduates from schools across Negros Island, including a Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson from this city, landed on the list of topnotchers in the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers, based on results released by the Professional Regulation Commission on May 12.

The PRC said the exam was administered March 15 in 41 testing centers nationwide.

At the elementary level, Sahn Chien Montecastro of Central Philippine State University-Candoni placed fifth with a 93.80 percent rating.

Jessie Jane Lumawag, SK chairperson of Barangay Bata in Bacolod City and a graduate of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, ranked seventh with 93.40 percent.

Tied at eighth place with a 93.20 percent rating were Rowela De-ala of Bago City College, Kristel Clair Tia Paltu-ob of Kabankalan Catholic College, Jorry Rico Niniel of CPSU-Cauayan, and Nera Andre Quinto of Carlos Hilado Memorial State University-Talisay.

Bago City Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao met with De-ala, 24, at City Hall shortly after the PRC announcement.

De-ala, a resident of Barangay Taloc and daughter of a tricycle driver and a housewife, said she hopes her achievement will inspire aspiring educators.

Meanwhile, Barangay Bata officials praised Lumawag for her academic accomplishment, citing her dedication and perseverance.

She graduated magna cum laude with a degree in special needs education from UNO-R.

At the secondary level, Shauna Espina Tifora of Negros Oriental State University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, ranked second with a 95 percent rating.

Kim Patricia Yanson Espinosa of CHMSU-Talisay, Jemark Mag-aso Tipontipon of Mount Carmel College-Escalante, and Dyann Alam Tubio of Silliman University in Negros Oriental tied at fifth place with 94.20 percent.

Eavanlee Dollosa Villar of Central Philippine Adventist College placed seventh with 93.80 percent, while Mark Lourenz Estardo Erio of CPSU’s main campus and Maybelyn Manlanat Panunciar of CPSU-San Carlos tied at ninth place with 93.40 percent.

Andrea Uella Bersales Falcunit of Philippine Normal University-Visayas ranked 10th with 93.20 percent.

Among top-performing schools in the elementary category with 50 to 99 examinees and at least a 90 percent passing rate, CHMSU-Talisay ranked seventh after posting a 96.43 percent passing rate, with 54 passers out of 56 examinees.

CPSU-Victorias placed ninth with a 95.31 percent passing rate after 61 of 64 examinees passed.

In the secondary category, PNU-Visayas in Cadiz City ranked second among schools with 100 to 299 examinees and at least a 90 percent passing rate, recording 175 passers out of 177 examinees, or 98.87 percent.

The PRC said 18,376 of 32,796 examinees, or 56.03 percent, passed the elementary level, while 45,001 of 61,561 examinees, or 73.10 percent, passed the secondary level.