The Schools Division Office of Calamba City honored long-serving SDO personnel who have dedicated 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service, including retirees and posthumous awardees during the 2024 Division Service Awarding Ceremony at the Jose Rizal Coliseum on October 3, 2024.

 

The ceremony opened the 2024 Division Research Festival, themed “Showcasing Best Practices in Raising the Bar of Excellence” and culminating activity of the National Teachers’ Month celebration.

In his address, Hon. Mayor Roseller “Ross” H. Rizal expressed his gratitude to all teachers for their tireless dedication to teaching, calling them the pillars of society. He acknowledged their strength, talent, and commitment to helping learners achieve their dreams, as well as their passion and love for the profession, which inspires everyone.

 

Mayor Rizal emphasized the unwavering 200% support of the Local Government Unit of Calamba in assisting DepEd and ensuring that teachers receive the resources they need to be effective educators. He highlighted the importance of recognizing their contributions and urged all teachers to serve with integrity and heart, reinforcing their vital role in shaping the future.

 

In her message, SDS Merthel M. Evardome, CESO V, emphasized that everyone in the education sector is a hero. She highlighted that the efforts made for the learners, schools, and community reflect the heroic spirit shared by all. “We all have the heart and blood of heroes,” she said.

 

SDS Evardome expressed gratitude to Mayor Rizal and the Local Government Unit, acknowledging that without their support, the event and the achievements of the education sector would not have been possible. She credited Mayor Rizal for the resources and opportunities that DepEd receives.

She thanked the teachers for their daily perseverance and resilience in serving the learners. “Congratulations to all of you, and here’s to many more years of dedicated service to SDO Calamba City,” she concluded.

 

OIC-ASDS Nadine C. Celindro expressed her heartfelt pleasure in celebrating the remarkable contributions of the teachers in the Division. She emphasized the importance of honoring the lasting legacy of those who have dedicated their lives to education.

 

“Today, we come together as a family, united by our shared passion and commitment to fostering a nurturing learning environment,” Celindro stated. She commended the educators’ unwavering dedication, hard work, and tireless efforts, noting that their contributions have profoundly impacted countless learners’ lives.

 

Meanwhile, SDO Calamba City recognized personnel who have dedicated 20 to 40 years of service, as well as retirees and posthumous awardees, with family members receiving honors on behalf of the latter. The event celebrated the invaluable contributions of these long-serving individuals, whose dedication and commitment have played a crucial role in shaping the division’s educational landscape.

 

Each awardee received a commemorative plaque and a timepiece, a symbol of their timeless service to the community. As part of the celebration, Mayor Rizal also awarded ₱5,000 cash incentives to each of the honored SDO personnel.

 

By Rocky A. Dela Cruz