NEWS RELEASE || 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐄𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

DAVAO CITY, June 25, 2025—𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱) 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻'𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝘇 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗢𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆.

The benchmarking initiative documented best practices in inclusive learning and sports development, explored innovative tools, equipment, and professional assessment services, and promoted knowledge sharing and collaboration across regions.

Participating in the activity are Regional Director Maria Ines C. Asuncion, Assistant Regional Director Pedro T. Escobarte Jr., schools division superintendents, functional division chiefs of the regional office, regional and division planning officers, the regional sports coordinator, regional focal persons for journalism and the Festival of Talents, and the Regional ManCom Secretariat.

In his opening remarks, ARD Escobarte expressed his appreciation for the participants' presence and emphasized the significance of the activity as DepEd Caraga charts its path toward greater milestones in the months ahead.

This was followed by a message from RD Asuncion, who underscored the importance of thorough preparation as DepEd Caraga takes on a major hosting role in 2026, including the Palarong Pambansa and other key national events. She emphasized the need for collective effort, strategic planning, and sustained commitment, especially in light of the region's recent victory in the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC). Quoting, "With great power comes great responsibility," RD Asuncion urged everyone to build on their success and remain committed to delivering excellence.

She concluded her message by encouraging participants to manage their time wisely, prioritize performance results, and maintain high standards of delivery—reminding all that while flexibility is given, expectations remain high.

The briefing and workshop sessions also reviewed DepEd Caraga's performance in the 2025 NSPC and National Festival of Talents (NFOT). Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD) Chief Bernabe S. Linog highlighted the successful implementation of a five-day skills enhancement program conducted through both online and face-to-face modalities, with active daily monitoring to ensure engagement. He emphasized the value of collaboration with external experts, strong teacher-coach and SDO partnerships, and the appointment of technically qualified judges to ensure credible and fair evaluations.

Despite the program's success, several areas for improvement were identified. These include scheduling conflicts during teachers' vacation periods, reduced effectiveness of online training compared to face-to-face sessions, and limited financial support for essential materials. Coordination issues—such as overlapping responsibilities between NSPC and NFOT coordinators, tight scheduling between the RFOT and NFOT, late release of national guidelines, and lack of entries in some specialized categories—were also noted.

To address these challenges, several strategic recommendations were proposed. These include conducting the RFOT earlier in the school year, enforcing stricter quality standards for the DFOT, implementing a phased skills development approach with dedicated Program Support Funds, reconstituting judging panels in underperforming categories, and expanding partnerships with agencies such as TESDA and industry professionals to ensure alignment with real-world standards and practices.

With strengthened collaboration, shared expertise, and strategic direction, DepEd Caraga continues to advance inclusive and quality education for all learners across the region.

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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