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NASIPIT, AGUSAN DEL NORTE, October 21, 2025—𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱) 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗖. 𝗔𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 – 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝟭 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱–𝟭𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗡𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗽𝗶𝘁, 𝗔𝗴𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲.

The three-day orientation workshop brought together key education leaders and sports advocates. Edmund D. Mendoza, Chief of the Education Support Services Division (ESSD); Dr. Jumer C. Carlon, Regional Sports Officer; and Al Jhon Fritz Otadoy, Technical Assistant I, steered the activity with their guidance and expertise. Adding depth to the discussions were Cesar Abalon, Chief of the Bureau of Learner Support Services–School Sports Division (BLSS-SSD), and Mikaela Sandoval, Technical Assistant II, from the DepEd Central Office, who shared national insights and updates on the School Sports Program.

Regional Director Asuncion also visited the workshop and delivered an inspiring message to the participants, commending their dedication to promoting sports development in schools. She emphasized the vital role of school leaders and teacher-coaches in cultivating learners’ talents, shaping their character, and ensuring that sports serve as a meaningful avenue for holistic education and youth empowerment.

The workshop aimed to strengthen the implementation of the DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2025, which institutionalizes the School Sports Club (SSC) in all elementary and secondary schools, including Community Learning Centers (CLCs) and Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRCs). This policy underscores DepEd’s commitment to fostering holistic learner development beyond the classroom through sports, instilling values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience among learners.

In his welcome message, ESSD Chief Edmund D. Mendoza emphasized that the workshop is more than just a capacity-building activity—it is a call to action to scout, support, and celebrate the multiple intelligences of learners, especially in sports. He urged participants to ensure the proper and strategic use of the Program Support Fund, identify and nurture promising athletic talents, and build a sustainable sports ecosystem rooted in collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

The orientation also guided School Heads and Division Sports Officers in assessing school readiness through the Enhanced School Improvement Plan (SIP), Annual Implementation Plan (AIP), and performance commitment forms. They were encouraged to establish strong partnerships through the Adopt-a-School Program (RA No. 8525) to improve sports facilities and support the professional growth of teacher-coaches.

Through this initiative, DepEd Caraga continues to champion the cause of sports in education, empowering schools to develop well-rounded learners and future champions—not only in the arena of competition but also in life.

For more information, contact (085) 221-1151, 0961-737-0873, or 0915-808-4734. Website: www.caraga.deped.gov.ph; email: caraga@deped.gov.ph; pau_caraga@deped.gov.ph.

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