La Trinidad, Benguet– To celebrate their first ever Benguet Teachers’ Day, over 5,000 teachers from both public and private schools of this province jam packed at the Benguet Multipurpose Gym in this capital town on Sept. 24.
Congressman Ronald M. Cosalan, Governor Nestor B. Fongwan, DepEd Assistant Regional Director Estela L. Cariño, and Board Member Johnny Waguis graced the event, which started with a two-hour motorcade from Baguio City and Tublay town towards the venue.
“You are really the unsung heroes of our country,” pronounced Cosalan.
The legislator even thanked the teachers for acting as second parents to students and for guiding them throughout their formative years.
The congressman assured that more classroom buildings will be constructed to better prepare the province for the K to 12 program.
On the other hand, Fongwan encouraged the educators to meet other teachers and know the programs of other schools.
“Your profession is very noble profession,” he accentuated.
Fongwan, however, narrated the difficulty of teachers especially those teaching in multi-grade schools due to lack of teachers and classrooms.
In line with teachers’ concerns, the provincial executive reiterated the province’s bid on prohibiting the sale of junk foods in all schools.
Also, he explained the installation of water purifiers to some pilot schools. If it would be effective, all schools in the province would be installed with water purifiers.
Waguis, who authored the Provincial Ordinance 15-170 or the Benguet Teachers’ Day, thanked the teachers their teachings and discipline inflicted among the learners.
“We thank you for nurturing our children to become responsible leaders and citizens of tomorrow,” he conveyed.
In like manner, Cariño thanked the provincial government of Benguet for staging a special day for teachers in the province.
She also thanked Waguis for authoring an ordinance declaring last Friday of September every year as Teacher’s Day in Benguet.
Schools Division Superintendent Federico Martin pointed out in his opening remarks that teaching is not just a job but a mission.
“Teaching is a journey because it does not stop,” he explained.
Meanwhile, in recognition to teachers and schools who perform outstandingly in their profession, the DepEd Benguet and the Provincial Government of Benguet agreed to award certificates and cash awards to adjudged awardees and were presented during the awarding ceremony of the celebration.
In the secondary level, Luis D. Igualdo successfully pocketed the Most Outstanding School Head award while Jose T. Aclinen of Sablan National High School topped the Most Outstanding Teacher category.
Lepanto National High School in Mankayan and Ampusongan National High School in Bakun seized the Most Harmonious School awards in big and small school categories respectively.
In the elementary level, Jocelyn P. Langbis of Buguias Central School won the Most Outstanding Teacher. Loo Elementary School in Buguias and Baayan Elementary School-Annex emerged Most Harmonious Schools in big school and small school categories respectively.
