MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--A member of the Bangsamoro Parliament (MP) commended the 120 teachers and ICT focal persons and coordinators in the three schools divisions of Lanao del Sur for their exemplary commitment and contributions as video content producers of "Siyap Ko Kapaganad" Program. 

The program which literally means "care for education" was conceptualized by the Office of MP Atty. Maisara Dandamun-Latiph to provide accessible video learning materials, modules, and other education-related materials for Kindergarten up to Senior High School.

"This cannot be possible to achieve without the continuing support and strong commitment of your divisions. We have the best interest of children in mind and we believe that in this time of pandemic no one child should be left behind," MP Latiph said during the turnover of the program to Lanao del Sur I, Lanao del Sur II, and Marawi City Schools Divisions on Friday, October 22.

Apart from getting a plaque of recognition from the MP, three best content producers from each of the three schools divisions also received free tablets.

Teacher Jumanah Balangi, one of the video content producers from Lanao del Sur I Schools Division, likened the program to a vehicle that takes its passengers to their destination amidst an unfavorable environment. 

"As teachers, especially those within the umbrella of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), we always hope and we always dream that no Bangsamoro learner will be left behind. From the onset of this pandemic, our commitment appears to be impossible, our destination became unreachable. Fortunately, with the timely introduction and implementation of the Siyap Ko Kapaganad Program, we have been able to offer continuity of education to our Bangsamoro learners despite the disruptions in face-to-face classes," she said.

She admitted that the program was challenging to implement and sometimes she tapped family members to be part of her production crew. But her persistence, passion for education, and willingness to sacrifice for the learners made her work lighter, fun, and interesting.

"Though we encountered so much and multi-tasked in this field of profession, still we committed to this platform just to extend to our Bangsamoro learners the MBHTE curriculum which has been contextualized," said Teacher Jhalilah Pandita, a content producer from the Marawi City Schools Division.

Teacher Alibon Mangigin from Lanao del Sur II Schools Division shared that he accepted the task as a video content producer because he wants Bangsamoro children to learn from the videos. “I made my decision to accept the task because I am a teacher and Allah made me a teacher to mold the Bangsamoro learners. I really want my learners to learn more information with my videos," he said.

MP Latiph hopes the teachers will continue to support the program so that Bangsamoro children will get the education they deserve. "The best teachers are what drives the Siyap ko Kapaganad," Latiph said as she encouraged the teachers to continue their joy, passion, and commitment in teaching to contribute to the future of Bangsamoro learners.

The MP also looks forward to the replication of the program to other areas in the Bangsamoro region. 

She said Lanao del Sur is the first in the region to produce a website of video learning materials and possibly the first in the country to use the mother tongue as the language in the produced video content. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)