In line with the attainment of the Department of Education (DepEd) thrusts and programs, the DepEd–Pasacao District, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, held its Graduation and Completion Ceremony for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Passers of S/Y 2021-2022 on September 20, 2022 at the Municipal Covered Court, Pasacao, Camarines Sur. A total of 256 graduates, comprised of 17 elementary school passers and 239 junior high school (JHS) passers, marched during the ceremony. 

Governor Luigi Villafuerte graced the event as the Guest Speaker, along with DepEd-CamSur ASDS Lyn Padillo, Mayor Jorge Bengua, Vice-Mayor Maryol Tayco, and 2nd District Board Member Niño Tayco. 

With the theme, "K to 12 Graduates: Pursuing Dreams and Fostering Resilience in the Face of Adversity,” speaks volume of the efforts of the students and the education sector in upholding a higher standard of education despite the challenges and limitations posed by the pandemic.

“Aram ko na bakong madali an inagihan nindo, kaya may iwawalat lang ako na tolong bagay saindo. Enot, when things get rough, kaipuhan lang nindo magluhod asin magpangadyi. Ikaduwa, padagos kita magtubod na an edukasyon makakapabago kan buhay ta. Pantulo po, sabi sa tema, padagos kamong magin masigasig asin matatag sa pagsubok. Padagos kamong magsumikap asin abuton an saindong mga pangarap,” said DepEd-CamSur ASDS, Lyn Padillo on her message to the graduates.

The ALS program is a parallel learning system in the country that provides alternate education for the disadvantaged individuals who are incapable of having a formal education. It is intended for the out-of-school youth and adults who are in need of development of basic and functional literacy skills. Under the ALS program, classes are not conducted in classrooms; rather, these are usually community-based, such as in barangay multi-purpose hall or in a community learning center. 

DepEd’s implementation of the said program is in accordance with the Republic Act 9155, also known as the “Governance Act for Basic Education Act of 2001,” which states that the citizens’ right to quality basic education shall be protected and promoted by the state by making it free and accessible to all Filipinos.

Among the JHS completers is the Special Awardee for being the oldest ALS passer, 64-year-old Rosita Bañadera from Antipolo, Pasacao. Even though she came with a cane and had minor wounds on her leg from being hit by a motorcycle on her way to the graduation ceremony, Bañadera still managed to attend just to be present and witness the special day. She shared, “Himala kan Kagurangnan ta dawa pa ako nabanggaan nin motor ngunyan na aldaw, nakaabot  ako igdi na dawa pa dai ako makapaso, at least, naka-attend ako kan graduation mi.”

She added, “Nagpapasalamat ako enot sa Kagurangnan, sa gabos na officials, syempre sa DepEd, sa sakuyang teacher na nag-motivate sako, asin ki Governor Luigi Villafuerte ta nakabali ako sa ma-graduate ngunyan asin dakula an kaogmahan na namamati ko.” 

Despite her old age, Bañadera expressed her desire to learn more things and plans to pursue her studies and enrol later on at the Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, an institution supervised by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Thirty-three-year-old Jackielyn Corpuz, another JHS completer and a mother of four from Balogo, Pasacao, shared, “Masigasig ako na nagtapos para matabangan ko an mga aki ko asin matukduan ko man sinda pag may mga assignment ta dati dai ko sinda masyadong maintindihan. Pero ngunyan na nag-aadal na ako, nakakabasa na ako, mapapaliwanag ko na sainda kun ano an ibig sabihon kan mga binabasa ninda.”

Corpuz gratefully added, “Nagpapasalamat ako sa DepEd ta nahinguha ninda na makatabang lalo na sa mga arog samuya na may edad na saka nagpursige talaga sinda para mapaadal asin mapatapos kami. Asin nagpapasalamat man ako sa Provincial Government sa suporta ninda ta dakulang tabang samuya an ALS asin nagpapasalamat man ako ta yaon sinda ngunyan igdi sa samuyang graduation.” Apart from her love for her children, finishing her studies through the ALS program also paved the way for her to be able to take a step closer to her life-long dream of being a teacher.

For Bañadera and Corpuz, age is not a hindrance to education as well as doing what you have always wanted to do. These two women are among the individuals from disadvantaged families who were not able to finish their studies when they were young due to poverty.  Through the ALS program and their eagerness to have a basic education, they were able to successfully graduate and finish their secondary school regardless of age, social, or marital status.

As one of the priority projects and programs of the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, under the leadership of Governor Luigi Villafuerte, full support to the national and local government agencies is given in order to improve the lives of all Camarinenses by protecting and promoting the citizens’ rights to free and accessible basic quality education for all.