Author: The Invictus Official (DVOREF) - English Category

To improve the overall performance of a teacher in delivering quality basic education, Teresa F. Real emphasizes the importance of Result-Based Performance Management System (RPMS) at St. Therese Educational Foundation Inc, (STEFTI) Wednesday, morning.

RPMS is an organization-wide process to ensure that employees focus work efforts towards achieving DepEd’s Vision, Mission and Values (VMV).

In accordance with the DepEd Order No. 2, s. 2015 (Guidelines on the Establishment and Implementation of RPMS in DepEd), the Department stressed that the RPMS is a “systemic mechanism to manage, monitor and measure performance, and identify human resource and organizational development needs to enable continuous work improvement and individual growth.”

Its main objective is to align individual roles and targets with DepEd’s direction, track accomplishments against objectives to determine appropriate, corrective actions if needed, provide feedback on employee’s work progress and accomplishments based on clearly defined goals and objectives, and become a tool for people development.

Furthermore, DepEd explains in an issuing statement about ensuring the delivery of quality, accessible, relevant, and liberating basic education in the country.

“It follows the four-phase cycle of SPMS prescribed in CSC Memorandum Circular No.6, s. 2012 and aims to ensure that both teaching and non-teaching personnel focus work efforts toward achieving the Department’s vision, mission, values,and strategic priorities,” DepEd explained in an interview with the Manila Bulletin.

More so, Real stressed that effective coaching and feedback are ways to close performance gaps, teach skills, embark knowledge and inculcate values that will help the teachers to improve,resulting to higher evaluation in Mean Percentage Score (MPS).

The said press conference served as an intensive training for the RSPC Qualifiers in Tacloban City Division who will compete on this year’s Regional School Press Conference (RSPC) on December 16-19 at Ormoc City.

Teresa F. Real is a School Paper Adviser (SPA) of Rizal Central School, and a national winning coach in news writing.

With the upcoming Regional School Press Conference (RSPC), a mini press conference was held discussing the significance of Media Convergence as preparation for RSPC Qualifiers at St. Therese Educational Foundation of Tacloban Inc. (STEFTI), December 6.

Diosdado Rabanso, School Paper Adviser of Sto. Nino SPED Center,spoke regarding the history of Media Convergence which not only seeks to continue the winning streak of Tacloban Division as overall champion in RSPC,but also to hone the skills of each journalists.

According to Rabanso, the media convergence has been annually practiced for three years, but said for only two years as the first was considered as ‘Pre-RSPC’, which was held at Leyte National High School (LNHS)last 2016.

‘If our performance during this media convergence is something you can be proud of, I believe we Tacloban City can still be the champion.” Rabanso quoted.

Furthermore, it is still in the journalist’s passion that will result for success in competing this year’s RSPC 2018 on December 16-19, Ormoc City.

“Colonized Language, Colonized Culture and Colonized Education” Dave Cedric Petilla, speaker of the conducted mini press conference, stated regarding the removal of Filipino Language in colleges, Wednesday, afternoon.

Petilla, school paper adviser (SPA) of Dr. Vicente Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation, emphasized the CHED Memorandum Order No. 20 Series of 2013 proposed last July 28, 2013, that seeks to remove the Filipino subject in colleges.

However, Tanggol Wika, an organization against the said memorandum, raised a petition causing the delay of implementation that will prevent a number of 73,000 Filipino teachers in losing their jobs.

According to Petilla that not only a large number of Filipino teachers will lose their job, but the preservation of the Filipino language and culture will perish.

 “Ang gobyernong Pilipinas ay gagawa ng hakbang tungo sa pagpapaunlad ng wikang pambansa, pagpreserba ng wikang Filipino.” Petilla stated.

Moreover, Petilla added that Article XIV Section 6 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution aims to preserve the Filipino Language, which is contrary to the memorandum mentioned.

 “Ngayon nasa Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) nalang ang desisyon kung tuluyang tatanggalinang nasabing asignatura”, said Petilla

This coming May 13, 2019, is another year of elections for positions in the Philippine government. Will this election result to the acquisition of worthy and good-willed politicians who can bring renewal to our country? or will it just be another occasion for corrupt and unlawful politicians to enter our government?

The 2019 elections will be an opportunity to renew the quality of political leaders inside the country. Through democracy, the positive and effective outcome of this election will depend on the decisions and votes of the Filipino people. The election can also serve as an assessment of the previous performance of the government system with the identification of the politicians the people want to remain in position and those whom they want to change. According to the Pulse Asia Survey, 55% of Fiipinos already have a complete slate for the senatorial race. Furthermore, Filipinos are currently naming a mean of 9 and a median of 12 (out of a maximum of 12) of their preferred senatorial candidates. Across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, mean figures range from 9 to 10 while median figures vary from 10 to 12.  Read more at: http://www.pulseasia.ph/june-2018-nationwide-survey-on-the-may-2019-senatorial-elections/

The elections can consequently become an avenue of change,with 12 seats which is half the senate, to be filled after the elections by new or possibly the same political leaders. Renewing half of the senate with new senators gives the senate committee a chance to acquire law makers with new advocacies that can contribute to the systems of the government and laws of the country. The intensified preparation for the 2019 elections of the Comelec guides the way for a fair and orderly election as it improves it automated elections systems (AES).

“The local source code review seeks to provide interested parties and groups with the opportunity to inspect and examine the source codes of the automated elections systems (AES). By doing so, it seeks to build public trust and confidence in the AES,” said the Comelec in its Resolution No. 10423.

On the other end, the 2019 elections can just be another election in vain. With the presence of illegal campaigns such as vote buying the results of the election can be manipulated by corrupt politicians. Most of the elections conducted in the country have faced the same issues and perhaps this coming year may be a time for change. Local races are particularly violent in this country. With law enforcers’ poor record of solving crimes, murder has become a favored method of permanently eliminating political rivals. The campaign against illegal drugs and other crimes could raise the level of violence in the upcoming elections.
Read more at: https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2018/07/15/1833610/editorial-full-steam-ahead#4e2KFt38mzkjTOss.99

Illegal campaigns and premature campaigns have also began to be conducted as the 2019 elections draw near. Premature campaigning is one of the contemporary issues on Philippine elections and has been reprimanded by the comelec. “If they don’t remove the campaign materials that would be tantamount to violation of election rules,” Jessie Suarez said in an interview. Read more at: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1768856

Through the democratic constitution present in the Philippines, it is evident that the success and efficacy of the election lies within the hands of the Filipino citizens. Their wise decisions and fair distinctions will define the future the government. Democracy gives the people the power to change and develop a lawful and just constitution. With the proper usage of their votes, the people have the capacity to enforce the integrity of the government. The people are given the capacity to choose which candidate is authentically good-willed and has the ability to change the country’s blemishes and avoid those politicians with corrupt and unjust intentions.

As the House of Representatives approve the amendment of the 1987 constitution and the institution of a federal form of government on its second reading through Resolution of Both Houses 15 (RBH15), the Philippines now takes a step towards a change in governance which is expected by the government to benefit the country.

RBH 15 argues that “many provisions of the 1987 Constitution have already served, if not outlived, their purpose,hence the sustained clamor over the years for amendments to or revision of the constitution finds justification in the need to provide, among other much needed socio-economic and political reforms, a long-term solution to the decades-old conflict in Mindanao and regional economic development in the countryside.”  
Readmore at: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/12/04/1874171/house-oks-draft-federalism-charter-second-reading#cdvxcOvP7Ei6P1Wh.99

Federalism is the division of a government into a central governing authority and constituent political units called states or regions. According to the SWS survey conducted on March 23-27, 2018,75% of Filipinos are not aware about the federal system and only 25% are knowledgeable about the notion or simply 1 out of 4 Filipino adults.Nevertheless, 37 percent of respondents still agree with the revision of the Philippine constitution into a federal government.

Read more at: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1004954/breaking-federal-system-what-75-of-filipinos-not-aware-sws-survey#ixzz5YnJjBJtJ 

By dividing the country into 4 states, each government unit can focus on the development of its own industries, public safety, education, healthcare, transportation, recreation, and culture. The centralized governance in each state, with the acquisition of greater resource capacity for a lesser number of population can integrate development more effectively. Through fiscal autonomy for state governments, federalism will more evenly distribute the country’s wealth. In 2015, 35% of the national budget went to Metro Manila even if it represents only 14% of the Philippine population. Federalism is also said to lessen the corruption and other illegal activities in the government with the 4 states being under the national government who approves the funds and budget usage. “The shift to federalism, were iterate, would have no adverse effect on the Philippine economy,”presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in an interview at the Malacanang Palace

Read more at: https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/120166-federalism-pros-cons-explainer

“The most outstanding feature of a federal set-up is that our resources are ours to benefit from. If it is P100, you get P30, ipadala mo doon sa federal government (give it to the federal government), you retain P70,” said President Rodrigo Duterte in a speech on federalism.

A recent survey by Pulse Asia found that 67% of Filipinos oppose the change, while only 18 percent were in favour and the other 14 percent were undecided. According to this survey, most of the Filipinos are not in favor of revising the Philippine constitution because they see no necessary grounds in doing so. Some think that it is only a plot to extend the term of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte as others are also aware of the consequential cons of federalism. The effects of political dynasty, unequal development of regions, and issues on governance are possible threats of federalism.

The greater task on this idea to implement federalism is to orient and educate the citizens, to keep them aware and to acquire their cooperation if transition follows. The opposition of must Filipinos may be the result of the,75% of Filipinos who are not aware about the federal system and the only 25%who are aware about the notion. “We will therefore exert even more effort to inform and educate our citizens about federalism since the approval of the proposed changes in our current Charter ultimately lies in the hands of the Filipino people,” Roque said. 
Read more at: https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2018/07/19/1834823/federalism-better-our-unitary-form#P1bkh2kXYQmRK6KH.99

I have never really imagined myself standing in front of this large and dark gate where I thought would only just be a dream and yet, here I am, about to set my foot in with dignity I have left but still full of nervousness and lack of confidence.

In a count of 3, I am going to do it.

1… 2… and 3…

Nervously raising my right foot and then the other and again my right foot and so forth, I did not realize I was actually marching inside the campus. The memory is still so vivid in my mind the very first time I dreamt of being one of the students in St. Therese Educational Foundation of Tacloban Inc. It was like something struck my heart as if this was it. This was actually the school I really wanted to attend to and graduate in.

Before, by simply looking at the photos and videos online about the school made me so excited to the time when or if I could become a student here. One of which is that I know the school was so prestigious. So prestigious in a way that the students were being practiced to speak fluently in the language English. And I knew this school wasn’t just about academic learning, although they are indeed excellent and still on the process of progressing in academics. Not to mention they join some various contests in the city, it may be a Quiz Bee, Journalism, Art Contests or Sports Games, but they are also centering human development not only with quality but also with Christ.

Upon seeing the students in the photos,they were all smiling, having the time of their lives like they have not regretted enrolling in that school and made me so jealous that I also wanted to be with them, to be one of them. And that’s when I set my goal to enter someday in that campus.

And then I just can’t believe it. I really can’t. Now I’m officially wearing the same uniform as them, so fancy and majestic. I’m officially becoming a student in my dream school, I mean my now official school. And I can’t express how happy I am right now to have my dream became a reality.

Pens and papers so firm in their grasp, eyes so wholly enthralled and ears so tentatively listening to the full details of which the beloved coaches were advising them to prepare for the upcoming Regional Schools Press Conference this December 16-19, 2018 held at Ormoc City.

The diverse schools in Tacloban City, both elementary and secondary level, unyielding, colossally mighty and molded together as one in St. Therese Educational Foundation of Tacloban Inc. (STEFTI) for the intensive preparation giving their all as if making this Media Convergence the reality of what truly is going to happen in the RSPC specially the date is fast approaching.

The students are becoming more focused than ever before and are getting more stern as time passes by. As well as the coaches, getting stricter and almost dishing out some excruciating comments about the outputs. Nevertheless, it is definitely for the better of the students and yes, is undoubtedly effective enough for them to improve more than before.

To imagine beyond their limits, to aspire greater accomplishments, and to aim better goals, they must undergo these kinds of experiences and processes in life.

But why does it have to be a stabbing-in-the-heart feels?

Well, if we nail ourselves in our own comfort zone then we won’t be improving now, would we? If we only take up the easier lie than the harder truth, would our writing capabilities enhance? I don’t think so.

Life does not obviously go our way. Sometimes we taste some amazing happiness and great memories but some, not so much. But that is fine. That is totally fine. These hardships are just temporary. What matters the most is at the end of the day,we may achieve that mark, that goal we always wanted to reach and that would be the perfect time to rejoice so gladly and the time we can feel the happiness we always wanted to taste. So aim higher, higher than the top.