DepEd, DPWH renew partnership in building basic education facilities

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The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) renewed their partnership in strengthening the School Building Program (SBP) to address the nationwide classroom gaps.

During the 2023 National Planning Conference: School Building Program (NPC-SBP), DepEd Undersecretary for School Infrastructure and Facilities Epimaco V. Densing III and DPWH Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Antonio V. Molano Jr., represented their agencies in renewing the partnership in the implementation of the School Building Program under the Basic Education Facilities Fund of the department.

Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte, in her Basic Education Report 2023, mentioned that the lack of school infrastructure and resources remains one of the biggest challenges the basic education sector faces.

In response to this, VP-Sec. Duterte launched the MATATAG Agenda which includes the establishment of the School Infrastructure and Facilities strand, headed by Undersecretary Epimaco V. Densing III, entirely devoted to addressing long-standing issues on education facilities and infrastructure.

“Together, let us work harder to build more schools and classrooms for our Filipino children and youth so they can learn, develop, and realize their full potential,” VP-Sec. Duterte said.

Meanwhile, some significant roles and responsibilities in the partnership include DPWH processing the necessary permits and clearances, ensuring the construction of complete buildings, and assigning a DPWH Project Engineer to confirm the findings of DepEd.

On the other hand, DepEd, through its Division Engineer, shall assist DPWH in the needed documents for application, approval, and issuance of permits, monitor project implementation, particularly in the critical stages of construction, and inform the DPWH Project Engineer of observed defaults in the construction.

Furthermore, the agreement has likewise noted the reporting arrangements and task force mobilization of both Program Management Offices (PMOs) at the Regional Offices and quality assurance teams.

In addition, the direct release of funds to the DPWH Central Office for the construction and repair of school buildings will be based on the approved list and Sub-Allotment Releasing Order (SARO) issued by the Department of Budget and Management.

“Kaya kailangan po namin kayo sa pakikipaglaban na ito. Malinaw na malinaw po ang importansiya ng pakikiisa ng bawat isa sa atin,” Usec. Densing said.

Spearheaded by the Office of the Undersecretary for School Infrastructure and Facilities - EFD, the four-day NPC-SBP, hosted by DepEd Olongapo City Division, DepEd Region III (Central Luzon), aims to establish concrete directions for the overall short, medium, and long-term planning of the SBP.

Art at the National Science Complex

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“People don’t usually think of scientists as artists, but much of what we do is shaped and informed by art—and vice versa,” said University of the Philippines - Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) Dean Giovanni Tapang, touching on the various art activities taking place this February across the National Science Complex.

Every year, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 683 of 1991, National Arts Month (NAM) is held to fete artistic excellence and pay tribute to the uniqueness and diversity of Filipino heritage and culture. The UPD-CS joined the celebration this year with a slew of activities aimed at students, faculty, and the general public to inspire appreciation of the intersections of science and art.

“In a way, science is all about finding patterns in the world. Art enables us to discover, understand, and hopefully even utilize such symmetries. But conversely, and perhaps more importantly, art also helps us bring science to the public by making our discoveries more relatable and engaging,” Tapang explained.

For the entire month of February, the Institute of Biology is showcasing artworks by its students, faculty, and family at the IB Auditorium. Admission is free. (Photo credit: UPD-CS SciComm)

Celebrations at the National Science Complex took off even before NAM started, with the Institute of Biology (IB) celebrating its 37th anniversary last January 30 and 31 under the theme, “Isang Pagpupugay: Pagbubuklod ng Sining at Agham.”

The anniversary celebration jumpstarted a February-long exhibit at the IB Auditorium featuring paintings by the Institute’s students, faculty, and family. A wide complement of talent is on display, from detailed anatomical drawings to whimsical slices of life. Also on display are intricate sketches of the Philippines’ many species of Rafflesia flowers. With over a dozen endemic species, the country is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots for this striking flower, which can sometimes grow as large as a bedside table. The exhibit will be open to the public until February 28.

UPD-CS researchers and staff hone their improvisation skills to help improve their science communication skills. (Photo credit: PlayMD)

With NAM well underway, the Institute went on to organize a science communication workshop for the College’s researchers, faculty, and staff. Taking a page from theater and stage acting, the facilitators from training group PlayMD explored storytelling and improvisation techniques to help scientists connect better with the public.

The UPD-CS will be capping the NAM celebrations with a free public webinar entitled, “Intersections: How scientists use art to explore the world” on February 24. It will feature a variety of scientists involved in the arts, with topics including watercolor painting and plant morphology through the eyes and hands of a scientist-painter; musings on the inner lives of starfish from a marine biologist; chemistry and colors in the context of local textiles and fabrics; and the synergies of art, science, and innovation.



To register for the upcoming art and science webinar, please visit https://bit.ly/CSIntersection.

VP Sara calls for bayanihan, urgency in addressing learning gaps in 52nd SEAMEC

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Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte calls for unity and urgency in addressing learning gaps and education equality in her message during the opening of the Southeast Asian Education Ministers for the 52nd SEAMEO Council Conference (SEAMEC).

“We need to act now. We cannot afford to waste more time. As education leaders, we cannot allow a single child to miss out on the opportunity and benefits of learning and the wonders of being able to use it positively,” VP Secretary Sara Z. Duterte said before the SEAMEC delegations in attendance.

“As education leaders, we have a huge responsibility. The decisions we make today will determine the quality of life in our countries and the entire ASEAN Region, and the ripple effect in these decisions can reverberate for generations to come,” she added.

The Education Chief made the call for all ASEAN leaders to embrace ‘bayanihan’, urging the members of the council to address the pressing issues of equitable access to education and the post recovery from the pandemic.

She also presented the MATATAG Agenda of the Department, highlighting the commitment of the agency to improve the quality of basic education in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, outgoing SEAMEO council president, H.E Mr. Chan Chun Sing from Singapore presented the innovative ways the ASEAN countries coped with the pandemic and how the lessons it brought shaped the landscape of their education.

Carrying the theme: Transformation through Learning Exchange: Building Resilient Systems as a Region, the three-day conference will discuss the transformation of education as demanded by the challenges faced by the sector, stemming from the damages brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Part of the mission of the conference is to highlight the need for resiliency in many countries and their education systems. SEAMEC is one of the platforms where education champions are given the opportunity to discuss and share their best practices for strengthening their education systems.

Additionally, the conference will witness the election of VP Secretary Sara Duterte as the council president from 2023 to 2025.