Support for the academe assured

For over two years of not having the traditional face-to-face learning modality, the Department of Education officially reopened its doors for students to physically engage in the four-corners of every classroom last August 22, 2022.

The full-swing of the face-to-face classes exposed urgent necessities in public schools, especially that classrooms are considered dormant since the outbreak of the pandemic. With this, the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro headed by Governor Dorothy Montejo Gonzaga assured to extend its support for the Department of Education in the province.

In the recent district teacher’s meeting conducted by DepEd New Bataan District, the Governor was represented by Executive Assistant Edward Macapili. In his talk, the executive assistant conveyed that the governor will support the educational institution towards providing education with an appropriate and a competitive standard. He also stressed that a conducive learning environment is vital on molding the minds of the younger generation, and this can be realized through working hand-in-hand with DepEd and the provincial government. The district meeting was attended by hundreds of public school teachers from New Bataan District, school principals and staff, and municipal officials of New Bataan.

Not only a good school curriculum can determine the efficacy and efficiency of teaching methods for students, but also the physical atmosphere where the delivery of the instruction will take place. This is where the support from the governor will go in, through the improvement and provision of school amenities in public schools.

During the conduct of the Brigada Eskwela prior to the reopening of classes, Governor Dorothy Gonzaga alongside with Congressman Ruwel Peter Gonzaga showed their dedicated support for the public schools  through provision of school buildings, school tables and chairs, and funds needed by the parents-and-teachers association and other matters that concern school improvement. The working governor and congressman visited several public schools and personally reached-out the communities to acknowledge their concerns. (JA, PAO-IPRD DdO)

‘Filipinas’ no more: DepEd adopts the use of ‘Pilipinas’ in schools

JOJO RINOZA / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin

Following the decision Commission on the Filipino Language or Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), the Department of Education (DepEd) directed public and private schools nationwide to stop using “Filipinas” in the teaching and learning process.

The DepEd Memorandum No. 74, s. 2022 signed by DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Epimaco Densing III dated Aug. 26 reaffirmed KWF’s decision to revoke Board of Commissioners Resolution No. 13-19.

Issued to bureau directors, directors of regions, superintendents of schools, and heads of public and private schools, the DM No. 74 s. of 2022 was DepEd’s response to the decision of KWF Chairman Arthur Casanova on the matter.

As per KWF’s decision, DepEd directed schools to bring back the use of “Pilipinas” in the teaching and learning process because the official name of the country is “Pilipinas” and not “Filipinas” as stated in the 1987 Constitution.

“Pilipino” should also be used when referring to the people and culture of the Philippines.

Despite this, DepEd said that there is no need to change the spelling — from “Filipinas” to “Pilipinas” — when it comes to printed materials such as books, Self-Learning Modules (SLMs), Weekly Home Learning Plans, Learning Activity Sheets, and other types before the release of the said memorandum.

“Iwasto na lamang ng mga guro at kawani habang ginagamit sa proseso ng pagtuturo (Teachers and personnel simply need to correct it while using it in the teaching process),” DepEd said.

Moreover, DepEd asked schools to use the correct spelling prescribed by KWF in instructional materials and correspondence that will be officially released.

In 2013, National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, who was then the chairman of KWF, pushed for the use of “Filipinas” as the international name of the country.

Tagle, pope's special envoy for bishops' meet in Bangkok

By Franco Jose C. Baroña

POPE Francis has appointed Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as his special envoy for the upcoming and biggest gathering of Asian bishops in Thailand's capital city of Bangkok.

Tagle, the pro-prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, will preside over the closing Mass of the 50th general conference of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) on October 30 at the Assumption Cathedral, the principal Roman Catholic church of Thailand at the Bang Rak District of Bangkok.

The Asian bishops' meeting will begin on October 12 and will be held at the Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Bangkok.

More than 140 bishops from Asia are expected to attend the conference.

This year's conference theme is "FABC 50: Journeying together as peoples of Asia...and they went a different way." (Mt 2:12).

The assembly also marks the belated 50th anniversary celebration of FABC, which was established in 1970 with the approval of the Holy See.

The FABC Secretariat said the 19-day conference will "reflect on the re-emerging and emerging realities and challenges of the Church in Asia."

Before being appointed to the Dicastery for Evangelization, Cardinal Tagle headed the FABC's Office of Theological Concerns while he was still the Archbishop of Manila.

The FABC is an association of Catholic episcopal conferences in Asia to foster solidarity and joint responsibility for the welfare of the Church and society in the region.

The association's leadership is currently led by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon as president, with Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo as vice president, and Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo as secretary general.

The FABC earlier called on Catholics to pray for the association so it will continue to be steadfast in its mission.

This charge was given by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in a circular sent to dioceses last week.

'Tagle could be next Pope'

Originally written in English, the "Prayer for FABC 50" was translated in four Philippine languages: Tagalog, Waray, Hiligaynon, and Cebuano.

The FABC asked its member episcopal conferences that the prayer be prayed in all churches until October 30 for the success of its general conference.

In his message for the occasion, Pope Francis expressed hope that FABC will "renew the Churches in Asia in fraternal communion and in missionary zeal for the spread of the Gospel among the richly diverse peoples, cultures and social realities of the vast Asian continent."