DepEd recognizes outstanding ALS mobile teachers

To honor the exemplary performance and immense contribution of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Mobile Teachers and District ALS Coordinators (DALSCs) in the delivery of quality basic education for out-of-school children, youth and adults (OSCYAs), the Department of Education (DepEd) held the first National Recognition for Exemplary DepEd-Delivered ALS Teachers on December 12 in Dapitan City.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for ALS, through the ALS Task Force, recognized 17 regional awardees whose work in geographically isolated, disadvantaged, marginalized, and conflict-affected areas and communities exemplifies the dedication and hard work of ALS teachers in the promotion of literacy and quality basic education.

Evaluated and endorsed by their respective Schools Division Offices and Regional Offices based on personality and character, competence, professional growth, work achievement, impact on learners, and community development, the best DepEd-delivered ALS teachers are the following:

• Lorna M. Calletong (Mobile Teacher, Region I)
• Alona T. Torres (Mobile Teacher, Region II)
• Ednalyn E. Fajardo (DALSC, Region III)
• Ma. Theresa H. Criste (DALSC, Region IV-A)
• Mia Jara A. Pintor (DALSC, MIMAROPA)
• Gil S.B. Depositario (Mobile Teacher, Region V)
• Jaspare V. Barrido (Mobile Teacher, Region VI)
• Rima D. Erames (Mobile Teacher, Region VII)
• Rosemarie G. Rey (Mobile Teacher, Region VIII)
• Josefina R. Macario (DALSC, Region IX)
• Marsan H. Alvarez (DALSC, Region X)
• Jinglebert P. Collado (Mobile Teacher, Region XI)
• Alma D. Libres (Mobile Teacher, Region XII)
• Renante C. Cabalang (DALSC, Cordillera Administrative Region)
• Romar B. Amolo (DALSC, CARAGA)
• Isnaira J. Haron (DALSC, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao)
• Evie G. Madolid (DALSC, National Capital Region)

Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones extended her appreciation for the awardees and their fellow ALS teachers through a video message: “I congratulate each and every one of you for your devotion, your commitment, and the service you have rendered to our learners; the opportunities that you have brought them, the doors that you have opened so that they will live fruitful lives even as they do not have the opportunity to go to regular school. Congratulations to each and every one of you who has contributed to the success of this program which will surely be a major legacy for this administration.”

Windel V. Alvarez, a Dangal ng Bayan awardee whose life has been dedicated to ensuring that fisher folks and their families in Sitio Lipata, Caramoan, Camarines Sur are able to have basic education through ALS, is also this year’s recipient of the Service Excellence Award.

“Drop-out din ako sa college for five years. Sa tulong ng aking mga pinsan at kaibigan, naipagpatuloy ko ang aking pag-aaral sa kolehiyo. 12709, ito ang numerong mahalaga sa akin dahil ito ang araw ng aking first day of service sa Department of Education as ALS mobile teacher. Hindi pumasok sa isip ko ang maging ALS mobile teacher, I had no idea of its duties and responsibilities. All I had in mind was to help and educate others through the formal system of education, inside the four walls of a classroom. But it seems I am more blessed to perform a special call of duty. Truly, I became a teacher, but a teacher not in the formal way I know but through the Alternative Learning System,” Alvarez shared.

Aside from recognizing the outstanding performance of ALS teachers, the national recognition likewise aims to encourage ALS teachers amid myriad challenges and to set the standard of excellence in the delivery of quality basic education to the last, the lost, and the least.

In her keynote speech, Assistant Secretary for ALS G.H. Ambat reminded the ALS teachers of the tasks ahead: “2019 is a banner year for ALS. As you may know, in February lumabas yung Department Order forming the ALS Task Force. In March, we came out with the National Training of Trainors. We rolled out the Life Skills Module because we know that it’s not enough that our learners know how to read, write, and count. We also have the ALS 2.0. We in Central Office, in the Task Force, learned a lot from you [mobile teachers and DALSCs]. We would like to thank you and in 2020, marami po tayong gagawin, kasabay tayo ng formal school sa pag-pivot from access to quality of education. We say that ALS is a second-chance program, so we have to deliver quality education programs kasi hindi naman basta-basta ang mga estudyante natin. They have their dreams as well.”

ALS Task Force head Director Marilette Almayda, Dapitan City Councilor Christopher Ma, DepEd Region III Director Nicolas Capulong, DepEd Region IX Isabelita Borres, DepEd Region X Arturo Bayocot, DepEd CARAGA Director Francis Cesar Bringas, DepEd Region IV-A Assistant Regional Director Ruth Fuentes, DepEd Region VIII Assistant Regional Director Arnulfo Balane, schools division superintendents, assistant schools superintendents, schools division chiefs, and regional ALS focal persons also graced the event and showed their support for the awardees.