Calanasan: At 68 years old, Julita Juaquin is actively pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher, a goal she has held onto despite the constraints of poverty and the challenges of living in the remote community of Calanasan, Apayao.
According to Philippines News Agency, Juaquin, a resident of Barangay Don Roque Ablan, recently received her Junior High School certificate of completion from the Department of Education (DepEd) in Apayao. She was among 83 barangay officials who completed various levels of basic education through the province's Academic Development Through Alternative Learning Promoting Leadership, Upskilling, and Sustainability for Barangay Officials (ADAL PLUS) program. This initiative, utilizing DepEd's Alternative Learning System (ALS), aims to support local community workers and grassroots leaders in completing their basic education while serving their communities.
The ADAL PLUS program, named after the Ilocano word "adal" meaning "study," was conceptualized by the provincial government in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). It is implemented with support from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and municipal governments.
Juaquin's path to education was initially hindered by financial difficulties and the geographic isolation of her village. Despite these obstacles, she ensured that her seven children had educational opportunities, with her youngest now attending college at Apayao State College. When the opportunity arose to join the eight-month preparation program, she embraced it while continuing her duties as a barangay kagawad and caring for her grandchildren. Juaquin aspires to complete senior high school and hopes to eventually become a teacher.
Another barangay official, Eliseo Castillo, 69, also took advantage of ADAL PLUS, completing his elementary education. Having reached only Grade 2 before familial responsibilities interrupted his schooling, Castillo found the return to education challenging but rewarding, especially learning about climate change and regreening.
The program's success has been significant, with Marleen Guerzon, DILG-Apayao provincial director, noting that 302 barangay officials and workers were identified as potential learners, with 89 passing the examinations. The initiative, conceived in 2023, aims to provide academic opportunities to barangay officials who were unable to continue their education.
Governor Elias Bulut Jr., who initiated the program, emphasized the importance of educated barangay officials in improving local governance. He recognized the need for officials to understand government programs to enhance their communities and meet governance standards.
Apayao Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang highlighted the necessity of continuing education in the digital age, particularly for public officials who must navigate reliable and misleading information. She pledged to support the construction of additional ALS classrooms.
Vice Governor Kyle Maraiah Chelsea Bulut-Cunan emphasized the foundational role of barangays in democratic governance, encouraging officials to pursue education as it enhances their service capabilities.
Assistant Regional Director of DILG-Cordillera, Ruperto Maribay, suggested that ADAL PLUS could serve as a model for other local government units to enhance the capacity of barangay officials. He noted that completing basic education could pave the way for higher education opportunities.
For Juaquin, the pursuit of education is ongoing, with aspirations to continue her studies and eventually achieve her teaching dream.
