Vol 1 Issue No. 1 Alabel, Sarangani Province June-July 2014

DepEd Sarangani goes RPMSTo ensure that employees of the

Department of Education have aligned individual roles and targets with DepEd direction, the division of Sarangani through its Human Resource Officer Ms. Julieta V.

Sulong Sarangani maps NGO services

Lomocso, conducted series of Results Based Performance Management System Seminar to Supervisor in the division and District on June 13, 2014 at Sarangani Highlands and again for Principals and School Heads in

the elementary and secondary on June 20-21 at Family Country Hotel. The Later was conducted to train trainors for the cascade of trainings in the 19 districts and 33 high schools division wide.

Trainings in the districts and high schools were simultaneously done with the aim to reach out to every employee to focus work efforts towards achieving DepEd’s Vision, Mission and Values for consistent work improvements and individual growth. Teachers and Administrators trained in the elementary was 3,062 while 1,250 in the secondary a total of 4,312.

The signing of the Individual Performance commitment and Review Form of the division employees was currently done after a day of revisiting defined goals and objectives while working on progress in the office and individuals roles and functions, in Sun City Suites on August 2, 2014.

In order to consolidate the individual efforts of various non-government organizations working in the province of Sarangani, the Sulong Talino component of the provincial government’s flagship program, Sulong Sarangani, held an NGO Conference and Service Mapping at Microtel, General Santos City, June 27.

According to Daniel Evans, program consultant for education, the conference was organized to avoid duplication of efforts and to indentify the areas that the various organizations serve.

Each organization presented what they are doing in their respective areas and those that offered similar services also discussed

among themselves the scope of their services and the possibility of partnerships.

Perett CES competes in National Finals

The Perrett Central Elementary School in Barangay Kalaong is one of the national finalists as regional entry in Brigada Eskwela 2014 under the small schools category of the Department of Education. Perett CES is the only entry from Sarangani Province.

Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide schools maintenance program that draws all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts and resources to ensure that public schools are physically ready for the opening of classes.

Above: Mrs. Norma Obogon talks about Management of Change during the Seminar Workshop on RPMS, Casa Luisa General Santos City.

Right: Teachers examine and fill out the new RPMS forms.

BRIGADA ESKWELA

by Elizabeth G. Torres

FOR THE SARANGAN CHILDREN. About 15 non-government organizations that help improve access to and quality of education in Sarangani converged and established linkages with one another at the NGO Conference and Service Mapping. (Photo by Jake Narte)

by Ariel C. Lalisan

versus

Today’s focus of many government agencies in the country is the initiation of reforms and how these reforms contribute to the delivery of public service that is efficient and effective to all concerned. Among the issues the government is facing recently are the specific concerns on corruption, inefficiency, bureaucratic red tape that penetrate the different tiers of government bureaucracies.

DepEd – Sarangani made a remarkable stride in enacting Republic Act 9485, otherwise known as the “Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007”. This is in response to the urgent need to eliminate red tape and improve frontline service delivery in the Division of Sarangani. The ARTA has become the most conspicuous legal mechanism which is now the focus of the division which spells out re-engineering of systems and procedures for an efficient and effective delivery of frontline services.

Pursuant to Section 16 of said law, the Civil Service Commission (CSC), as mandated therein, promulgated the Implementing Rules and Regulations of said act. Anti-Red

Tape Act of 2007 and its IRR aim to promote transparency in all government offices, provide a clear systems and procedures of each office or agency with regard to the manner of transacting with the public. Thus, each agency is required to simplify service

procedures, formulate service standards for clients to observe or follow in every transaction and make these standards known to the client.

Part of the implementation of ARTA and in its pursuit of a transparent and red-tape free department, the DepEd Division of Sarangani has initiated the creation of Citizen’s Charter to ensure transparency. The Citizen’s Charter is a guide which seeks to identify the agency’s frontline services and step-by-step procedures, including specific details on documents to be presented by a client when filing complaints, requests and/or certifications.

Meanwhile, the division office underscores and requires all offices as well as all schools in the division that render frontline services to adopt appropriate working schedules to ensure that all clients who are within their premises prior to the end of official working hours are attended to and served even during lunch break. Thus, the “No Noon Break” policy is required to implement a suitable working schedule to ensure uninterrupted public service delivery.

Anti-Red Tape Act: Towards Efficient Service

ARTURO D. TINGSON, JR., Principal I

Point of View

“Where in the world can you see a system wherein an employee is asked to have an output that is beyond 100 percent – this

is something very inhumane and is in violation of our rights to be treated ac-

cordingly and rightfully,”{France Castro, ACT Secretary General

“The RPMS results will guide the Depart-ment in providing training interventions to ensure continuous development... This

is part of DepEd’s commitment to provide quality education to our learners... [It] is intended to raise the bar and encourage

excellence in government service.”

Bro. Armin A. Luistro, DepEd Secretary

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ELIZABETH G. TORRES, EPSEditor in Chief

LAFOREZA L. MAGUATE, EPSAssociate Editor

ContributorsARTURO D. TINGSON, ART EUGENE A. YGONIA,

CHRISTINE MAY S. DOFILESARIEL C. LALISAN, T-I

Layout ArtistISAGANI S. DELA CRUZ, CESO IV

Schools DIvision SuperintendentDIOSDADO E. ABLANIDO

Assit. Schools DIvision SuperintendentDONNA S. PANES

Chief, CIDSHIRLEY M. CARDINAL

Chief, SGOD

2 Sarangani Bulletin JUNE-JULY 2014OPINION

“With great power comes great responsibility” is a quotation Spiderman fans often copy. Being a Superintendent is not easy. It connotes command responsibility and accountability of enormous proportions. It entails a lot of leadership abilities, managerial and decision making skills and, above all, the commitment of a public servant.

In the exercise of one’s power, he can lead the followers by either pushing or pulling them. Which one are you?

As a leader am I pusher or a puller? To attain DepEd’s vision, mission, and goals in Sarangani I need to be one or the other. How about you? The answer lies in your commitment and adherence to our core values.

The Demands of Leadership

ISAGANI S. DELA CRUZSchool’s Division Superintendent

SDSReflectionTeachers being people of

authority are looked up to, not only by students but by peers, parents and the community. They are paragons of values such as honesty, patience, industry, cheerfulness

and generosity.Recently, problems

besetting teachers in Sarangani were aired over the radio and television. It created a condition where there were negative criticisms in the rank and file including division office operations and work ethics were exposed to scrutiny. Such situation whether deliberate or not on the part of the perpetrators are unbecoming of public servants.

Power, on the other hand, if taken as individual rights as part of one’s duty is not at all a privilege. The strength of a person’s--whether mental, emotional, or physical--appeal to persuade is not at all an expression of one’s ability to force it to be an issue or to

coerce. Instead, it is temperance, an ability to restrain the self especially as it involves the organization.

Problems in following standards and doing one’s duty are part of a teacher’s life. In breathing life as in problem handling, especially during clearance time, teachers and administrators should see eye to eye on managerial competence and disciplinary capability.

A famous writer said, “Let us not answer questions of life with questions instead let us let go and let God.”

Values or Power?

If we look at today’s engineering and architectural works, we cannot help but be fascinated at the ingenuity of the minds behind such feats. How in

the earth could they have built, created and invented such techs and wonders? We simply marvel before them.

In one of his timeless words of wisdom, Socrates, a famous Greek Philosopher, once said “Education is the kindling of a flame”. He was trying to enlighten others, especially teachers and mentors, the importance of enkindling the mind of every child and learner because by doing so would make him/ her thirst for learning. Once the child learns, he/ she would never seize to learn more because in learning the child realizes that he/she can do great things. To enkindle is to make the fire burn within.

Engineers and architects have minds blazing with insights, and it was there mentors who started the flame within them. We educators are destined to waken and enflame our pupils’ minds so that they too could be “builders” of tomorrow.

Last June 2, 2014 teachers geared up for the opening of classes. The once not-so-crowded and busy hallways are now packed and filled with children chatting, making friends and laughing. The life of the school is back. But behind all these another great responsibility is laid to all teachers. Their tasks to mold, teach and touch lives continue. Teachers are also called to become “builders” of tomorrow.

People say that the future is yet to come and that we should not worry. But if we look at it in a higher perspective the future begins now. What we do today will have repercussions to what is to come tomorrow.

Educators should look at each child as a potential and productive community builder in the future. Every child has an innate craving for learning, and it is our task to make such craving for learning grow. What we teach today, especially the values, will be of greater help to the child as he/ she lives on with the dreams he/ she has set in life.

We are among the “architects and

engineers” in the lives of our children. If we build a strong foundation in them then these children will sure to have a brighter tomorrow; but if educators root them in a shaky and not-steadfast foundation then these children might continue to live in ignorance.

Coming back to school will never be the same again for the pupils if teachers see them as children craving for learning. A new school year is something to look forward to since it is one great opportunity for teachers to reinvent himself or herself for the good of the pupils.

Tomorrow’s BuildersOPLAN BALIK ESKWELA

ART EUGENE A. YGOÑA, T-II Malungon Central Elementary School SPED Center

Another pride of Sarangani takes it biggest leap as she faces the international scenes. Renetchie Bedecer-Martinez, T-III of

Malungon National High School, has marked significant contributions in Research where she was recognized internationally.

This brilliant lady has been into teaching for 15 years now. Martinez values balance between her work and family. She is happily

married to Joel Martinez, an Agricultural Technologist of LGU-M a l u n g o n , S a r a n g a n i P r o v i n c e . They are truly blessed with three lovely c h i l d r e n : Hannah Faye, Haren Joash and Halejah.

Mart inez finished her Bachelor in

Secondary Education Major in English from Mindanao State University, General Santos City in April 1997. During her graduation, she received an award as Model Practice Teacher in Secondary Department. This is a clear manifestation of her dedication and commitment in teaching. She earned her Master of Arts in Reading in MSU-GSC Graduate School in March 2011. Presently, she is pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management from the same school.

This dynamic lady has pushed her limits as she presented relevant research studies in various countries bringing the name of DepEd-Sarangani. Her interest and expertise has opened her so many doors, local and international. The following are some of her participation in conferences and research forums, to wit: A Research Presenter in International Research on Business, Management and Social Science held on September 26-27, 2013 at Pearl Hotel International, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Her presentation was entitled “Impact of Indigenous Parents’ Involvement on the Academic Performance in English of Grade 7

Students”. Last February 3-4, 2014, Martinez was the

lead research presenter and lone team from Philippines in an International Conference Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Bangkok University, Thailand. Her research study was entitled “Impact of Multiple Intelligence on the Reading Comprehension of Fourth Year Students”.

Recently, she was acclaimed as a lead research presenter and lone team from Philippines in European Conference on Research Methods where she presented her study entitled “Potential Contribution of Mixed Methods in Evaluating the Instructional Activities in English under the K-12 Program: A Pilot Study”. This conference was conducted last June 16-17, 2014 at Cass Business School in the City University of London, United Kingdom.

In spite of her great accomplishments, Martinez remains humble and hopeful to be inspiring to other Sarangan teachers who values personal growth and professional development. She is dedicating this biggest leap of success to the Division of Sarangani and to her loving family.

Making a Name in International ResearchCHRISTINE MAY S. DOFILES, T-I Kalonbarak Elementary School

3Sarangani BulletinJUNE-JULY 2014 FEATURES

In the past three years, I have been going up the mountains with a group of young people from my neighborhood in Alabel.

What I had in mind when I started was simply to take a break from the arduous tasks of being a teacher (and some other hats I chose to wear). I did not imagine that it was going to lead me to a new vocation.

I have always loved the outdoors. I got it from my active participation in scouting events when I was still a student and from my tree-planting activities in remote sites as a member of Junior Ecologists Movement in high school. When I learned that the guys in the neighborhood are into mountaineering, I decided to join them. That decision led to my current passion.

Our first trekking together was to New Canaan in Brgy. Pag-asa, Alabel, Sarangani Province. We heard that there is a beautiful waterfall in that place. After about two hours of dizzying ride on a motorcycle that just zooms along a winding, rolling dirt road, we started a three-hour trek crossing the river at least 17 times (I lost count) to reach the Atnayan waterfall.

We stayed at New Canaan Integrated School for the night. The PTA president at that time gladly accommodated us. (We also learned that the PTA president also goes to school as an adult learner –

he was in second year that time and he has a son who was a year ahead of him.) I noticed that their library was empty. In a conversation with one of the teachers, we learned that there were only eight of them teaching Grade 1 up to Third Year high school. And so I wondered, “Not enough teachers, not enough books. How could the students learn well in a situation like this?”

The next time we visited New Canaan, we brought with us over a hundred mountaineers, each one brining three to four books and we also planted trees there. We did that again in the year that followed and we helped their student government establish a plant nursery so they can start their own tree planting activities on their own.

Team BUNDOL Mountaineers (the name of our group) started to take on as an advocacy to help schools in far-flung areas. In the past three years, we have organized

delivery of school supplies, feeding, reading and fun games with the kids, and tree planting activities in Nop Primary School, Pongoleel Integrated School, Dacera Integrated School, Purok Acacia Day Care Center, Malapatan Day Care Center, Kiahe Integrated School, and just recently at the annex of Mamanawa Elementary School in Sitio Lanao, Sapu Masla, Malapatan.

Our trek in Sitio Lanao is one of our most memorable so far. Sitio Lanao is a small community in the hinterlands of Malapatan.

We learned about the place from Oliver Tablazon of Hearts and Brains, Inc. (HABI) and Dr. Roel Cagape, who we met at the NGO Conference organized by Sulong Sarangani. It has never been visited by lowlanders as big as our team. I couldn’t believe that until we started our trek. It was very noticeable that all we met along the trail always had someone who walks along with them carrying a firearm.

To reach Sitio Lanao, one has to walk for four to five hours, crossing a river about as many times as we did in New Canaan. It took us longer because we carried sheets of plywood.

Those materials were to be used in making tables and chairs for the kids in Sitio Lanao.

The school in Lanao has two adjoined makeshift classrooms about six meters wide and ten meters long. The blackboard they are using is a painted piece of plywood four feet wide and two feet high. I also saw four makeshift school chairs. From the data we obtained from the teachers, we learned that there are 271 kids enrolled there.

One of our companions asked the kids if they know PNoy or their Mayor and they all shook their heads – even their parents. There was no photo of them inside their classroom. But they know Cong. Manny Pacquiao because some of them have t-shirts with his face printed on it.

I have no background in carpentry. I have never built anything other than my science project in high school, which only required stick glue. All the things I learned about the place and the people of Sitio Lanao, and that whirlwind of emotions I felt upon seeing their situation seemed to give me the strength to swing the saw through the wood and to hit the nails with the hammer.

We have constructed and painted nine tables in a day of working and we left them with materials enough for 21 more tables that the parents have agreed to build. The materials were bought from the donations given by benevolent organizations and individuals who responded to my post on Facebook.

Our trekking might be very tiring—we often fumble our own pockets for our transportation and food and we are under the sun for long hours, but I am so amazed by the dedication of the members of my team. Most of them do not have their own income but they never surrendered. They, too, fell in love with helping the needy. If there is a success indicator for what we are doing, it is the happiness that is clearly seen in the faces of my team members in our small talks as we share our boodle fight of sinugbang isda and bagoong after each trek. Seriously, we don’t get anything from what we are doing – only stories we can tell our children in the future.Learn more about Team BUNDOL Mountaineers and how you may partner with them at http://saranganitrekking.blogspot.com and http://iam.ariellalisan.com.

In Our OwnLittle Ways

ARIEL C. LALISAN, T-I Alabel National Science High School

4 Sarangani Bulletin JUNE-JULY 2014FEATURES