DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/16 June) – The regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd) is getting ready for the simultaneous nationwide fun run on June 19 in celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, an official said.
Jimmy Cerrojales, DepEd Physical Education and School Sports regional supervisor, said all nine division offices under DepEd Region XI are now preparing for the staging of the fun run in their respective areas.
DepEd-XI is composed of nine division offices – Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao City, Panabo City, Digos City, Mati City and Island Garden City of Samal.
Cerrojales said they are now in the process of confirming the participants for the activity, which will be held simultaneously in various DepEd division offices in the country.
Aside from the students and teachers, running enthusiasts from different private organizations are joining the one-day affair, he added.
In a press statement, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said: “We all know how our national hero pushed for education of the Filipinos. I am sure that a century after his death that remains his aspiration.”
In compliance with the DepEd central office order, Cerrojales said, they will set up a booth for the acceptance of donations and the administration of the pledge form.
Instead of paying registration fee, DepEd asked the participants to bring donations or sign a pledge form to signify support for schools or to state what they can contribute to upgrade the standard of education in public schools.
Donations could be in the form of school supplies, classroom furniture, equipment classrooms or shop equipment for Industrial Arts, Home Economics, Agri-Fishing, among others, the DepEd statement said.
It added that pledges may include providing service as a resource person for a particular subject, tutorial assistance, peer counselling, assistance to teachers such as preparing visual aid), school maintenance and repairs, or teaching service.
Luistro expects the event to bring together education stakeholders in the spirit of fun and love for education.
“This is a good physical exertion and at the same time an expression of compassion for our young learners who need our full support,” he said. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)