TEACHER-AWARDEES LAUDED FOR OUTSTANDING WORK

LEVITA C. MANALUS

Some outstanding educators from different parts of the country were recognized for their exemplary performances in the field.

According to Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones, there are still many good teachers, but they are unrecogni zed.

The recognized teachers, Briones said, represent thousands of teachers in the provinces who bring the good news to their learners.

She said that what makes them outstanding besides the awards is going beyond their call, of what teachers should be.

The four Dangal ng Bayan awardees, one Pagasa awardee, and one Gawad Career Executive Service awardee are all teachers in far-flung areas, according to Briones.

The Dangal ng Bayan Award is given by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to government employees who perform exemplary acts and consistent ethical behavior.

Windel Alvarez, Lowel Solayao, Annie Masongsong, and Roderick Labay received the award for 2018.

Labay and Masongsong are the champions of the Mangyan learners in their respective provinces.

Solayao taught reading to the young learners from Sorsogon, while Alvarez introduced the Alternative Learning System to the families living in the Lahuy Island.

Meanwhile, Annabelle Alipo-on received the CSC Pagasa for her exceptional contributions and innovations, which made a great impact in advancing the state of education and improving the lives of the community people in Negros Occidental.

Cristito Eco, meantime, received the 2017 Gawad Career Executive Service Award from the Office of the President for his Bungkaras project, which involved the capacity building of school heads, so they would become innovative.

DepEd said the awardees, together with the other nominees, have undergone a year-long selection process which was done by the CSC.

The Gawad Career Executive Service Award from the Office of the President included a PHP200,000 cash prize, a medallion, and series of promotions.

The Dangal ng Bayan Award had a cash prize of PHP200,000, while the CSC Pagasa Award included a PHP150,000 cash prize.

Briones said the teacher-awardees signify that teaching is a special profession which does not only involve “counting of work hours, bonuses and benefits”.

Briones said she is “touched by their loyalty and by their love for the learners, not thinking of what they lack.”

“They show that teaching is parting of knowledge, guiding of learners and shaping of lives,” she added.

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The author is Teacher III at Cacutud Elementary School