In response to one of the Agenda of DepEd Secretary Leoneor Magtolis Briones to expand the reach of Alternative Learning System Program, DepEd-Calamba CIty, the City Government, Barangay Councils, DILG, and other organization gathered to drumbeat and inform the public of their campaign “And DEpEd at Barangay, at iba pang sangay ay magkakaagapay Tungo sa Isang Calamba na Zero OSY”. This was launched through a city wide ALS CARAVAN held last January 26, 2017 The motorcade started at 6:00 from identified location of the 10 districts followed by a simple program held at the CHIPECO HALL, Jose Rizal Memorial School from 9:00 – 11:00 AM.
“Ang educaksyon ay responsibilidad ng bawat mamayang may malasakit upang ang mga bata ay makalaya sa kamangmangan at maging pag-asa ng bayan. Ang maibalik ang mga OSY sa paaralan ay isang hakbang sa patuloy ng pag-unlad ng ating Lungsod”. This was the resounding opening message of Dr. Lourdes T. Bermudez, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent.
It takes a village to educate a child as reiterated by Dr. Eugenia R. Gorgon, SDS Calamba City in her message. “Kami po ay kumakatok sa inyong puso. Alam po naming na katuwang po kayo ng aming mga guro sa paghubog ng mga kabataan. Dr. Gorgon was overwhelemed with the support and commitment shown by the particpants.
The local government officials through the chairman of Committee on education Hon. Vice Mayor Ross Rizal expressed their support as well. “Wag na tayong magsalita ng sana mabawasan na kung hindi magawang zero Out-of-School youth (OSY) ang Calamba, simulan na natin na – I will, gagawin natin ito tungo sa ngalan ng kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataan.
The representative of Hon. Mayor Justin Marc SB Chipeco has also articulated the support mechanism and initiatives of the city government to ALS students. Mr. Jeffrey Rodriguez said “Tamad na lamang ang hindi makakapag-aral sapagkat ginagawa ng pamahlaana ang lahat ng pamamaraan upang maiabot ang pag-asang dulot ng edukasyon. Bukod dito ay ang mga trainings at skills development upang sila ay makapagtrabaho sa pamamagitan ng Calamba Manpower Service Development at City Livelihood and Cooperative Development” He ended with a statement to all the participants by saying “ Kayo po ang Aming Kaagapay”.
Among other dignitaries from the local government present were President of Association of Barangay Council Hon. Edison Natividad and DILG Director Leni Bautista. There were about 400 representatives coming from 54 barangays of Calamba City. Calamba has 5,924 OSY based on Community Based mapping system according to Vice Mayor Rizal of which only 1, 029 were enrolled in ALS.
The Program becomes more inspiring when the lives of three ALS graduates BATCH 2012 were presented though a video clip. Seeing them during the program was emotional and truly life moving Mr. Alprince Rafael (now a Professional Teacher) and Mr. Jemuel Morato (Graduating Education Student from PWU-Calamba). True enough, they epitomize the adage “Sa ALS may Pag-asa!”
Mrs. Clariza Terrones, Education Supervisor and ALS Focal Person was very delighted for the success of the CARAVAN. She was assisted by two equally able and hardworking Education Program Specialist for ALS, Mr. Wilmer Nombrado and Mrs. Myra Flordeliza together with 8 ALS facilitators.

SYMBOL OF COMMITMENT. The symbolic signature commitment of 54 Barangay Chairmen and City Government officials expressing their support to CALAM-BA ZERO OSY. (Back) Present to witness the event are SDS Dr. Gorgon, ASDS Dr. Bermudez, DILG Director Leni Bautista, ABC President Hon. Edison Natividad and Hon. Vice Mayor Ross Rizal.

Randy D. Punzalan
SEPS Planning and Research/DIO