Sec. Briones; 2 - RD Bayocot

I would like to express my warmest greetings and congratulations to the graduating learners, faculty, school officials and staff for their Commencement Exercise for School Year 2020-2021.

On behalf of the Department of Education (DepEd), I am honored to be part of the accomplishments and milestones of this year’s graduating batch. Despite being tested in an extraordinary time, our learners persevered and made valuable gains for their future.

While this historic season gave unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am confident that this new breed of Filipino nation-builders – one that has experienced unusual obstacles – will be vital in moving the country for the years to come.

Our heroes in the history of our country have faced many challenges without hesitation and fear to seek truth and freedom through education, and like those today who continue to go great lengths to assiduously provide support for our education, they stand firm in Jose Rizal’s words, “Without education and liberty, which are the soil and the sun of man, no reform is possible, no measure can give the result desired.”

Let this ceremony be a reminder that we can overcome anything through our concerted efforts. And with DepEd supporting you in every way possible, we will be able to respond to every challenge, especially in the basic education sector.

For our parents and teachers, we are greatly indebted to the dedication that you have given to your children during this crisis. Truly, your efforts have come to fruition as we celebrate this momentous day.

Let us continue to seek growth and opportunities for a safer, healthier, and kinder place to nurture our future leaders and nation-builders.

Greetings!

Graduation, Completion, or Moving-up Ceremonies are testimonies of excellent coordination, genuine hard work, and great love.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world hitting the various sectors, including education the Department of Education (DepEd), through the competent leadership of Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, firmly accepted the challenge to continue education, bravely wrestling with the challenges of the pandemic, and unceasingly finding solutions to address any emerging problems.

Amidst all these difficulties emerged excellent coordination across all levels of governance and the different stakeholders with the teachers at the forefront of delivering the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE LCP).

And here they are our learners who willingly submitted themselves to blended distance education, painstakingly learning the ways of the new learning landscape, and successfully accomplishing all their academic requirements through genuine hard work.

But these successes would not have been possible if not for the great love of the parents and guardians who have been selflessly offering their prayer, time, and resources.

In other words, the successes of our learners, our teachers, our leaders, and the Department of Education at large with the unwavering support of all our stakeholders are products of our collective decision to succeed as one family.

On behalf of the entire DepEd Region X, allow me to thank and congratulate everyone for this great feat, which attests that DepEd, indeed, is on track.

But just like what is said in our theme for this year’s End-ofSchool Year Rites “Strengthening Quality Education amid the COVID-19 Pandemic,” we need to be on our toes. The COVID-19 pandemic is real and so are other education emergencies.

All together, let us rise from this pandemic, recalibrate our learning continuity plans, and continue to deliver quality education for our LEARNERS: The heART of DepEd X.

Straight from the heART of your DepEd Region X Family, Congratulations and Godspeed!