VP Sara to pursue education reforms as SEAMEO Council President

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




Vice President of the Philippines and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte advocated for education reforms through unity and shared education goals as she was elected as SEAMEO council president for 2023 to 2025.

“The Philippines humbly accepts the challenge in leading its ASEAN counterparts in the post-pandemic recovery by pursuing much-needed reforms to our education system, ensuring that these fit within our priority, education agenda, outline, and the SEAMEO Strategic Plan 2021 to 2030,” VP-Sec. Duterte said in her speech.

“I am pleased to note that your unwavering unity in our shared cause for enhanced cooperation in education, science, and culture has strengthened and allowed us to rise above the difficulties we faced within our organizations and our respective institutions,” she added.

The Education Secretary thanked and acknowledged the efforts made by the former president, H.E Chan Chun Sing of Singapore, that led to education reforms that helped learners worldwide cope with the effects of the pandemic.

“As we move forward to a new chapter of cooperation for the greater good of the ASEAN Region and our respective countries it is my hope that the gains we have achieved in the past years will enable a new way for a proactive and unprecedented region of developments in our priority areas,” VP-Sec. Sara stated.

As VP-Sec. Sara assumed her post as the head of the Council, she called for the efforts of the members to make impactful changes for their learners. She promoted the regional operation mechanism that will enable the ASEAN countries to work together by sharing and championing their best practices in their respective education systems.

Duterte also emphasized the importance of the discussions of the education ministers and how they can contribute to greater capacity for a brighter future for children.

“We will take advantage of our diversity and varied experiences to rethink our current practices to innovate and make policies, plans, and frameworks that will further strengthen our existing education systems. I look forward to productive discussions with you throughout this presidency as we work towards our shared education goals in harmony and solidarity,” the concurrent Education Chief and SEAMEO Council President noted.

Duterte also acknowledged SEAMEO as one of the most proactive partners of DepEd in support of teachers, researchers, and learners.

“Together, let us pursue our mission to achieve equitable, quality, and inclusive education through effective collaboration and leadership. Together, let us work for the brighter future of our children, our respective nations, and the whole of ASEAN,” she said.

DepEd, DPWH renew partnership in building basic education facilities

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




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

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




“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.