NEWS RELEASE || 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫

BUTUAN CITY, JULY 07, 2025—𝗧𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱) 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹, 𝗕𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱.

Spearheaded by the Human Resource Development Division (HRDD), under the leadership of HRDD Chief Flordelisa Dalin and with the guidance of Regional Director Maria Ines C. Asuncion, the seminar carried the theme, “Cultivating Ethical Educators: Building a Reflective and Responsible Learning Ecology.”

In her welcome message, HRDD Chief Flordelisa Dalin expressed gratitude to all attendees for their presence despite their busy schedules. She emphasized that unlike previous capacity-building activities focused on enhancing professional competencies, this seminar centers on personal renewal and moral grounding. “This time, it’s not just about our growth as professionals, but about who we are as individuals,” she shared. Dalin also acknowledged the presence of key officials and representatives from various functional divisions, fostering unity and appreciation among the regional office personnel.

Education Program Specialist Analou O. Hermocilla introduced the resource speaker, Rev. Fr. Marlon A. Lacal, PhD.

In his deeply reflective talk, Fr. Lacal emphasized that education must go beyond academic performance and compliance—it must shape the whole person. He introduced the concept of education ecology, which views learning as part of the broader cycle of life and calls for nurturing the mind, heart, and soul. “Our obligation as educators is not just to nurture the mind, but also the heart, the soul, and the very person of the students entrusted to us,” he said.

Addressing the emotional struggles of today’s youth, Fr. Lacal cited alarming suicide cases among students and emphasized the need for spiritually grounded educators who can be agents of healing and hope. He explained that spirituality in education is not tied to religious dogma but to the connectedness between oneself, others, and the Divine. He described four foundational relationships in education: the bond between Creator and creation, the divine image within every individual, the transformative teacher-student dynamic, and the sacred covenant educators hold with their learners.

Drawing from his powerful testimony of surviving a life-threatening illness, Fr. Lacal urged participants to rediscover their purpose as educators. “We are responsible for the future of our students—not only by teaching them facts but by shaping who they become,” he emphasized. His story and insights inspired participants to serve with a deeper purpose, compassion, and unwavering commitment.

The seminar concluded with a heartfelt sharing session, during which Regional Office personnel responded to simple yet meaningful questions posed by Fr. Lacal, prompting personal reflection and reaffirmation of purpose. The day ended with the celebration of the Holy Mass, also presided over by Fr. Lacal, leaving participants spiritually uplifted and inspired to continue their mission with renewed faith.

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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