Ilocano teacher to receive 2023 Princess Maha Chakri Award

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Recognizing his exceptional contribution to education and his advocacies on sustainable community, a teacher from the Department of Education (DepEd)-Ilocos Region is the Philippines’ fifth recipient of the prestigious 2023 Princess Maha Chakri Awards (PMCA).

Mr. Jerwin O. Valencia, Teacher III of Digras National High School in Ilocos Norte, is one of 11 recipients of the PMCA in South East Asia as he presented a significant impact on students’ lives through his initiatives and projects. He will receive his award on October 17 in Thailand.

With a goal of creating a sustainable community for his learner and their families, Valencia launched the Backyard to Kitchen Project Year 2, where he helps beneficiaries to cultivate their own gardens at homes by providing seedlings for them to produce a BIN-I (seeds) that they can use for the next crop making this project sustainable.

He has also created the project Ayat Para Iti Arapaap (Gift of Love for a Dream), which aims to motivate children to strive more for their studies, assist them in their studies, including mental health and emotional aspect through the support of individuals, and develop skills and relationship of children through arts and craft.

In addition, Valencia also initiated the Project Wag MATHakot, which provided learners an opportunity for on-task activity through games and technology-innovative activities, and Project MATH (Make A Tremendous Help), which includes the practical application of Mathematics, such as constructing plant boxes in different shapes and recyclable materials to foster environmental awareness among them.

Aside from being a Math teacher, Valencia is also a reservist of the Philippine Air Force and a Boy Scout of the Philippines Disaster Risk Reduction Management Coordinator.

Princess Maha Chakri Award is given once every two years to recognize teachers who change students’ lives, particularly the disadvantaged groups. It aims to promote excellent practices to inspire and serve as examples for other teachers in Southeast Asia.

Since 2015, four Filipino educators have received the PMCA, namely Mr. William Moraca from General Santos City (2015), Mr. Jesus Insilada of Iloilo City (2017), Mr. Sadat Minandang from Cotabato City (2019), and Mr. Marcelo T. Otinguey of Benguet City (2012).

DepEd bolsters drug education, prevention campaigns in 3rd National Barkada Kontra Droga Convention

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The Department of Education (DepEd) highlighted the importance of preventive education in curbing drug-related concerns and how to strengthen programs and interventions against substance abuse in schools and the community during the 3rd National Barkada Kontra Droga Convention (NBKDC).

“We must confront [drug addiction] problem with empathy, compassion, and understanding while arming ourselves with determination and bravery to pull our barkada away from the trap of drug addiction,” Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte said.

DepEd Assistant Secretary for Operations Dr. Dexter Galban likewise urged learners to continue advocating and participating in drug abuse prevention activities.

“All of you here today, coming from different regions of the country, are given the opportunity and even the challenge to become champions. You’re here today for a reason. You’re here today to serve as beacons of hope for those having difficulty saying no to illegal drugs, saying no to substance abuse,” Asec. Galban said.

During the three-day event hosted by DepEd SOCCSKSARGEN, attendees listened to discussions on the salient features of the DepEd policy on the BKD Plus Program; the policies, updates, and intervention for the Department's No Smoking Campaign; and how to develop information education communication materials, among others.

Meanwhile, Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Undersecretary Earl Saavedra put emphasis on curbing the vulnerabilities of the youth by not allowing them to become the victims of substance abuse.

“BKD is not only a flagship program that starts and ends with interagency commitment. We were able to walk the talk pagdating sa BKD by tapping partners and stakeholders who are our important allies pagdating sa pagsugpo ng drug addiction in our communities,” DDB Usec. Saavedra said.

The event likewise aimed to strengthen camaraderie, collaboration, cooperation, and solidarity in BKD implementers' commitment to attain a drug-free lifestyle through sharing leadership stories and best practices, and formulation of action plans to prevent drug abuse in schools and the community.

“I firmly believe that you are the ones that can help lead us to a better future. As I’ve always said, the youth are done waiting for the world to change. The world is now waiting for the youth to change it,” Asec. Galban said.

SSS runs after contribution evaders in simultaneous nationwide campaign

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The Social Security System (SSS) today conducts simultaneous Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) operations in 108 selected areas around the country to call on non-compliant employers to settle their contribution delinquencies.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said that the synchronous RACE activities across the country affirm SSS’ commitment in ensuring the social security protection of its 31.96 million employee-members.

“We will be issuing notices to business employers around the country who neglect their legal obligations of paying their employer and employees’ share in the contributions because it deprives them of the social security benefits they truly deserve,” Macasaet said.

After receiving the Show Cause Orders, he said SSS gives delinquent employers 15 days to coordinate with their respective servicing SSS Branch Office and settle their contribution delinquencies.

Macasaet reminded all employers that Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security (SS) Act of 2018 requires them to report for coverage to the SSS all their employees and/or kasambahays within 30 days from their actual employment date and remit the corresponding monthly contributions of their workers.

On the other hand, household employers shall shoulder the SS contributions of kasambahays who are earning P5,000 or less.

Under the SS Act, employers who fail to register their employees or have not deducted and remitted their contributions will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 to P20,000 and face imprisonment ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to 12 years.

“We appeal to all employers to be considerate to their employees by reporting them to SSS and regularly remitting their monthly contributions so they can be protected by receiving social security benefits in times of various contingencies,” Macasaet said.

He urged them to settle their delinquencies by availing of the contribution penalty condonation programs offered by SSS that will allow them to pay the unremitted contributions less the accrued penalties.

Delinquent business employers can apply for the Contribution Penalty Condonation, Delinquency Management and Restructuring Program (CPCoDe MRP) while Household Employers can avail of the Contribution Penalty Condonation and Restructuring Program (CPCR-P).

SSS conducted its first RACE operations in 2017 when it visited delinquent employers in Greenhills, San Juan, and Cubao, Quezon City. The following year, SSS brought the RACE campaign to the regional level.