Communicating the best

AFTER a two-year hiatus, the seminars and training are slowly getting alive in the Department of Education (DepEd). But this does not leave each personnel unflustered because the health protocols are always observed.

We just had our three-day Capacity Building for Information Officers of DepEd nationwide held at the Municipality of Malay in Region 6. Miguel Mac D. Aposin, the superintendent of the Division of Aklan, explained that if national events are held in Aklan, what comes first on their list is Boracay since it is the only place with complete amenities like hotel accommodations and big spaces.

Yes, we were in Boracay. He said it is not luxury; it is the only place with accommodations especially if the hotels in Aklan are not available.

But this is not about Boracay. Although I have witnessed how people swarmed all the stations, with their family and friends unmindful of the virus, so cool and happy together, I’d like to write something about how the people of Aklan and Region 6 warmly accommodated us and how they perform.

The region has carefully guided us from the time we arrived at Caticlan airport to our transportation to the port and then to Boracay. The team from DepEd led by Regional Director (RD) Ramir B. Uytico made sure all the information officers from all over the country arrived safely at the hotel.

Thanks to RD Uytico, with his rousing sharing seen in the way he communicates, for not only showing us the achievements of their region but how it is to maintain the interests of the community to help elevate the education sector.

Region 6 is known as the Home of the Champions, where they say every child is a champion. Dir. Uytico shared that the region is the home of the first 26 DepEdrun farm schools in the country. It is also the first region to offer a School Heads Academy.

The eloquent director also shared that they empower every child to become a champion. A champion is not someone who only wins in a competition but someone who values his or her own self-developing self-determination and confidence.

What is also touching during the seminar is the sharing of Director June Arvin Gudoy of the Public Affairs Service of DepEd. He brilliantly led the communications service of the Department.

He executed major transformations that led to active engagements of DepEd nationwide. I have not listed down the specific statistics of the achievements he presented as I focused more on how he delivered his speech. He is such a gifted communicator.

But what is clear is that he initiated the DepEd National Communications Framework, the first in the country. He also initiated policies on Social Media Management and Website Management among others.

Before he came in 2019, the followers of DepEd Philippines were more than 2 million. Now, it has grown to more than 5 million. Thanks to his vibrant style in making sure that DepEd communicates effectively all its programs and activities including inspiring stories in the ground.

This is also what makes DepEd Davao Region so engaging in its social media page – DEPED Region XI – to share and feature beautiful and inspiring stories in the ground. Thanks to RD Allan G. Farnazo for always reminding us to build a positive impact to the community.

Together with Dir. Farnazo is Assistant RD Maria Ines C. Asuncion who also keeps reminding us that excellence is seen when we effect positive change.

DepEd always shares its best practices across all regions. We benchmark and learn from each other. We are one family with one direction. We always look forward to a brighter future for our children.

In the next six years, DepEd is seen to grow as one big family with efficient and excellent family members – its learners, teachers, personnel, and leaders.