The Philippine Online Chronicles

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education

DepED Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City

My best wishes to the organizers, participants and guests in the 2010 National Schools Press Conference in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Your theme: “Campus Journalism as a Catalyst for Change: Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015”, is very relevant. This is an opportune time for our student journalists to push their pens to voice out their support in fighting poverty.

It is important to put emphasis on the power of pens to highlight students views and opinions on relevant issues. We have to optimize the power of communication by enlisting young journalists' active participation in this advocacy.

We have to remember that fighting poverty is a gigantic task not by the government alone but a social responsibility of all. With power to posses, you can be an instrument of change in making your fellow students aware on how they too can contribute to achieve the MDGs.

May you help the country eradicate poverty by educating our people through this event.

Mabuhay!

Jesli A. Lapus

Secretary

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education

Region XI

F. Torres St., Davao City

Warm and sincere greetings to all the officials and delegates to the CY 2010 National Schools Press Conference. Welcome to Region XI, welcome to Tagum City!

As hosts, we, the members of the DepEd family of Region XI, have nothing else in mind but to be able to offer to all of you, our guests, the best and the most of what we can, here in Region XI and in Tagum City, in particular. We may not be able to offer you amenities compared to what highly-urbanized cities like in Metro Manila can offer, but we remain proud to be given the honor of having with us, at least for five days, a choice group of students consistently being looked up to as the “cream of the crop” of their generation, a sector of the youth who can carry – on to the generation after them the noblest of the roles of a journalist: that of giving the right information and facts of current events, of making their readers and listeners aware of happenings in society and community, local and global alike, without bias and with no tinge of personal inclinations and affiliations.

Being in Region XI is being in a place that showcases the brighter side of Mindanao, migrants, muslims and the indigenous peoples all working hand in hand in peaceful harmony towards development, bridging whatever differences there may be in terms of beliefs, principles or ideologies through a larger aspiration of making Mindanao not only as the land of promise but also the land of fulfillment. After this NSPC, may you, our guests, leave Region XI with the impression that just like any Filipino elsewhere, just like you, we here in Mindanao share the same hope and love for peace. We may have our own shortcomings as everybody else has, but we also dream your own dreams: of making and keeping our communities the best that these can be for our families and for everyone.

Susana Teresa B. Estigoy, CESO IV

Director IV

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education

Region XI

Division of Tagum City

E-Park, Apokon, Tagum City

It is our great pride in our young, yet resilient Division of Tagum City to be the host of this 2010 National Schools Press Conference on February 22-26, 2010.

Hosting this prestigious gathering of the best and the brightest students in our 17 regions is both challenging and fulfilling. Challenging in the sense that we need to meet the expectations of almost 3,000 delegates composed of officials, teacher-advisers and campus journalists and fulfilling because the thought of putting in one venue, the future leaders of our country is already a success in itself.

Rest assured that we will not leave any stone unturned just to make your stay in our City Division in the vicinity of the fast-developing Tagum City a very memorable one and experience of a lifetime.

This year's theme, “Campus Journalism as a Catalyst for Change: Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015” (Pampaaralang Pahayagan Bilang Instrumento ng Pagbabago: Maisakatuparan ang MDGs ng 2015), put us in a situation to collaborate and win the fight against extreme poverty.

We are pinning high hopes that this conference will bring about not only great writers but responsible and committed public servants ready to sacrifice their own happiness for the good of everyone.

To all of you, we wish you the best of everything in your stay as delegates, officials and guests of the 2010 NSPC.

Nenita E. Lumaad

Schools Division Superintendent

Republic of the Philippines

Province of Davao del Norte

Mankilam, Tagum City

It is my honor and privilege to speak on behalf on the entire officialdom of the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte as the Department of Education – Region XI makes the 2010 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) happen here in this province particularly in its capital city, Tagum.

The theme, “Campus Journalism as a Catalyst for Change: Achieving the Millenium Development goals (MDGs) by 2015 (Pampaaralang Pahayagan Bilang Instrumento ng Pagbabago: Maisakatuparan ang MDGs ng 2015),” speaks about the role of young student writers and artists in fostering change in the society especially in alleviating poverty and hunger by using their academic skills to help accomplish the development goals set by the United Nations.

This activity is a manifestation of the educators' partnership to the government and to the UN in eradicating poverty.

I am glad that with the centerpiece program of the Provincial Government called RDR WHEELS which we envision to be the vehicle that will provide our people with a high-quality life and with the admirable efforts coming from private and public sectors, we are now treading to the direction of living up to our responsibility which the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon was talking about during the high-level event on the Millennium Development goals held in New York over a year ago.

I support the Department of Education in its way of creating a world with a better understanding and knowledge on what poverty is an on what we can do to stop it from haunting humanity. Ultimately, I hope for the success of this year's NSPC.

Mabuhay!

Rodolfo P. del Rosario

Governor

House of Representatives

Batasan Hills, Quezon City

My salute to the men and women behind this prestigious gathering of the country's best and brightest students and teachers, the 2010 National Schools Press Conference on February 22-26, 2010 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Also, to our revered visitors coming from the 17 regions of the country, accept the warm welcome of our people here in Davao del Norte and consider this place a home away from home.

May you be showered with the goodness and innate hospitality of the Tagumenos in particular and the Davaoenos in general as you do your best in proving your worth in the different areas to be contested.

As spelled out in your theme, the herculean task of these challenging situations besetting our country: to find the lost, to feed the hungry, to heal the wounded and bring peace to our troubled nation lies not only in us your elected public servant but can be done effectively with your help through the power of your mighty pens.

Let us work as one for this year and beyond to achieve the desired results in attaining the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

Warm greetings and Mabuhay!

Arrel R. Olano, CPA, MPA, MBA

Representative – District 1

Davao del Norte

Republic of the Philippines

Province of Davao del Norte

City of Tagum

Welcome to the Palm City of the Philippines!

Hosting a national event like the National Schools Press Conference magnifies the image of Tagum as a Child-Friendly City. The convening participants from all over the country will certainly feel our peace-loving community.

Education is one of the top priorities of our government programs. Literacy empowers our youth and helps them build their future. Working closely with the Department of Education meets our objective to mold our future leaders.

Campus journalism will surely be helpful to our students' formation. With their minds communicating, they themselves become the catalyst for change in leading towards the realization of the Millennium Development Goals.

In time with the city's grandest event, the Musikahan Festival, I am wishing you all a grandiose NSPC event. May it give more color in our national gathering. Enjoy your stay in the Music Capital of the South.

Mabuhay!

Rey T. Uy

City Mayor