Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) reaffirmed the government's commitment to education reforms, particularly in preparing learners for employment and lifelong learning, the regional education office said Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Department of Education (DepEd) 6 (Western Visayas) Director Cristito Eco highlighted the alignment between the President's focus on continuous learning, upskilling, reskilling, and workforce readiness with the region's efforts to enhance education-to-employment pathways. Eco welcomed the success of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, where over 1,500 senior high school graduates secured employment, showcasing education's role in creating livelihood opportunities.
Eco emphasized the importance of the strengthened Senior High School Curriculum, which includes expanded work immersion programs and promotes TechPro and ladderized learning pathways, enabling learners to pursue higher education, skills training, employment, or entrepreneurship. He also mentioned employment-related initiatives like the 'Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma'am/Sir" program, addressing teacher hiring needs while offering opportunities for graduates.
Eco supported the President's call to enhance the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) for Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners, noting its significance for learning, attendance, and child development. During this year's Nutrition Month celebration, DepEd-Western Visayas launched its SBFP, benefiting 188,167 learners in the region.
Eco also addressed efforts to tackle bullying, violence, and other school-related issues, advocating for education that includes a culture of care, guidance, and child protection. At the beginning of the school year, DepEd-Western Visayas launched WE CARE (We Are Child Advocates for Resilience and Empathy), a child protection initiative aimed at monitoring learner concerns and building the capacity of education stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Eco praised the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) framework for providing teachers with clearer professional growth opportunities. In April, Marcos led the oath-taking ceremony for 8,566 educators in Western Visayas, who received promotions under the ECP in one of the largest ceremonies nationwide.
Eco further acknowledged government investments in educational resources, including Smart TVs, laptops, and other instructional technologies, as well as efforts to address classroom shortages through public-private partnerships and collaboration with local government units.
