CAMIGUIN (PIA)--Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones lauded the hard work and determination of the Department of Education (DepEd) field officials in implementing the agency’s initiatives during the Gawad Parangal Handog ng DepEd Rehiyon Diyes, April 29.

“We know that the role of the field officials at the Department is significant because you are the ones implementing the policies created in the Central Office at the grassroots level. I know that civil servants also work very hard for their ranks. They stay, spend long hours giving of themselves, largely sacrificing their families, spend long nights trying to get additional degrees, and take examinations to improve their qualifications,” Briones said.

Furthermore, she also noted that DepEd should celebrate the victories of the learners and teachers in the local and international level of competition as she cited recent winners in the International Science and Engineering Fair, 12th Regional Congress "Search for SEAMEO Young Scientists, and ASEAN Quiz Regional Competition."

She likewise mentioned that public school teachers in the country were also recognized by the prestigious and worldwide award-giving body, including the Global Teacher Award and 2021 Maha Chakri Award, for their outstanding achievements in basic education and social work.

“We also honor those who have spent their lives contributing their waking hours to teaching our children. We are producing globally competitive learners with the help of their parents, teachers, and communities,” Briones said.

The education chief, along with the Executive Committee and Management Committee members, was recognized by the DepEd Northern Mindanao (NorMin) for demonstrating outstanding servant leadership in the delivery of quality, accessible, inclusive, and liberating basic education.

DepEd-10 Regional Director Arturo Bayocot expressed his gratitude to the group from the Central Office for giving their confidence that the region could host the hybrid National Executive and Management Committee meeting, which was held at Camiguin Island.

“On behalf of our DepEd Region 10 family, please allow me to express my sincerest thanks to our Secretary for her trust in DepEd Region 10 to host the joint Execom-Mancom conference. Tonight’s Gawad Parangal recognizes our DepEd leaders for their outstanding servant leadership, of course topping in the list is no less than the honorable Secretary,” Bayocot said. (DepEd/PIA-10/Camiguin)