DepEd recognizes SEARCA as a valued partner

PASAY CITY, Philippines—The Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) recognized the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) as one of its dedicated partners during the Partners' Appreciation and Recognition held at the Government Service Insurance System Financial Center on 20 February 2024. Dr. Glenn Gregorio, Center director, accepted the appreciation plaque on SEARCA's behalf.

The recognition highlighted the Center's steadfast support and invaluable contribution to DepEd's mandate to deliver quality basic education to Filipino learners.

Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines and DepEd Secretary H.E. Sara Zimmerman Duterte (leftmost) hands over the appreciation plaque to Dr. Glenn Gregorio (second to the left), SEARCA Center director. With them on the stage are Ms. Beatrisa Martinez (second to the right), executive coordinator of the Office of the Director, and Mr. Michael Poa (rightmost), DepEd spokesperson. [Photo by Alezandro Bravo, grabbed from the DepEd Philippines Facebook page]

The DepEd Secretary represents the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), SEARCA's mother organization. The Philippine government hosts SEARCA, and DepEd is its focal agency.

SEARCA and DepEd have collaborated on several initiatives focusing on capacitating teachers and fostering basic education learners' interest in agriculture, including the School-Plus-Home Gardens Project (S+HGP), a participatory action research project in Laguna, Philippines, on using school gardens as experiential learning tools in improving nutrition, education, and economic well-being of school children. Other notable partnerships include S+HGP's offshoot initiatives, namely, the School-Plus-Home Gardens cum Biodiversity Enhancement and Enterprise (SHGBEE) in Palawan, Philippines, and the School Edible Landscaping for Entrepreneurship (SEL4E) in Rizal, Philippines.

In her message, Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines and DepEd Secretary H.E. Sara Zimmerman Duterte extended her appreciation to their partners for equipping Filipino teachers with various skills needed to deliver appropriate and effective teaching strategies through trainings, webinars, and scholarships.

"To our partners, thank you for your unending support that complements our goals and aspirations for the Philippine basic education. May you continue investing in the dreams of the Filipino children, as they will soon be part of our workforce that will contribute to the development of our nation," Vice President Duterte remarked.

This year's Partners Appreciation Program and Recognition was attended by more than 170 DepEd partner organizations, including research organizations, nongovernmental organizations, local government units, and private sectors.