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𝐽𝑎𝑖𝑟ℎ𝑎 𝐴𝑛𝑛𝑒 𝑇. 𝑆𝑢𝑠𝑢𝑠𝑐𝑜

𝑅𝑂-𝑃𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝐴𝑓𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑠 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡

BUTUAN CITY, June 11, 2025—𝗜𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱) 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗖. 𝗔𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟭𝟬:𝟬𝟬 𝗮.𝗺. 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟬 𝗽.𝗺. 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗔𝗣–𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗮.

The activity aimed to provide the general public with updates on DepEd Caraga’s preparations and overall readiness for the upcoming school year.

The meeting agenda covered several key areas: an overview of DepEd Caraga’s school year preparations, agency contributions, and support strategies, collaborative efforts and partnerships, and media engagement and information dissemination. These discussions underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration, timely communication, and community involvement to ensure a safe, orderly, and inclusive school opening across the region.

Several agencies presented their respective initiatives and commitments to support DepEd Caraga. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and DepEd proposed a joint initiative to conduct CPR training for teachers. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) committed to strengthening its summer reading program in coordination with DepEd. Additionally, a proposal was raised to study the correlation between the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries and learning outcomes as part of the school-based feeding program, with data sharing encouraged to guide interventions.

The Department of Health (DOH), through the Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd (OK sa DepEd) program, pledged continued health support to learners. The DOH was also requested to assist in providing scientific and medical explanations concerning reports of bizarre behavior related to mass hysteria among a few learners.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) committed to supporting DepEd’s infrastructure projects and was requested to assist in preparations for the upcoming 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur. The DepEd Caraga Region, through the Education Support Services Division (ESSD), provided DPWH with a detailed breakdown of ongoing repairs and school building construction to support planning and coordination.

Security preparations were also discussed. The Philippine National Police (PNP) committed to deploying at least two personnel per school, establishing help desks, providing safety tips for learners, and implementing the “five-minute response” advocacy to ensure prompt action in case of incidents.

Health and wellness concerns featured prominently during the open forum, as media partners actively raised questions about ongoing initiatives on HIV awareness. In response, ESSD Chief Edmund D. Mendoza emphasized that the current curriculum already integrates vital topics such as HIV prevention, sex education, and healthy lifestyle habits. He also highlighted the potential partnership with Unilab as a strategic opportunity to expand the reach of health information and resources for learners across the region.

Radyo Pilipinas asked who handles the welfare of bullied learners, to which Regional Director Asuncion replied that the bullying cases in schools are being effectively managed. Chief Mendoza added that eight medical officers, along with more than 300 nurses, dental personnel, and guidance counselors, handled the cases.

Addressing concerns about reading proficiency and learner performance, RD Asuncion explained the regional goal of achieving zero non-readers in Caraga, with the Schools Division Superintendents (SDSs) having conducted tactical planning sessions on the matter. Asuncion reiterated a DepEd Order that all Grade 1 learners must be able to read. Reading recovery programs and the Brigada Eskwela campaigns served as complementary efforts toward this goal.

Infrastructure gaps and resourcing were also discussed. When asked about new school buildings, RD Asuncion shared that the region is lobbying for the construction of 4,362 new classrooms, the repair of 8,821 existing structures, and the procurement of 158,253 pieces of school furniture. While some new constructions are underway, many requests have been incorporated into budget proposals. School heads were reminded to reflect infrastructure needs in their respective Annual Implementation Plans (AIPs).

Regarding the availability of teaching and nonteaching items, RD Asuncion confirmed that the Central Office had already distributed the initial allocation. Due to limitations, distribution is being done in batches, but full compliance is being pursued.

The coordination meeting and press conference highlighted DepEd Caraga’s commitment to ensuring that all systems are in place for a safe, inclusive, and effective opening of classes. With the continued support of partner agencies, media, and stakeholders, the region aims to uphold quality education delivery for all learners in the new academic year.

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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