Mindanaotoday.com | Oro hosts DepEd twin nat’l events
By: URIEL QUILINGUING
For the first time, Cagayan de Oro City is hosting the four-day National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) and the National Festival of Talents (NFOT) of the Department of Education, the opening rites were held at the Atrium of Limketkai Center on Monday, July 17.
Gina O. Gonong, DepEd undersecretary for curriculum and teaching, had the honor of declaring the NSPC and NFOT opened, in behalf of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte.
“May you (NSPC and NFOT delegates) become ambassadors of positive change and discover the transformative power in you,” Duterte said in her message that Gonong read in the presence of over six thousand delegates.
The message further stated that “the youth can shape a brighter future by raising awareness, staying informed, and working collectively with like-minded individuals; that together, they can catalyze change, challenge perspectives, and amplify the voices of the marginalized.”
Duterte’s further remarked that journalism is more than just a profession because journalists can empower, educate, and even engage with the world.
Mayor Rolando A. Uy, in his welcome message that Councilor Suzette M. Daba read, announced that Executive Order No. 169, series of 2023 has been issued which directed the city government and participating barangays to provide necessary support to DepEd during the NSPC and NFOT.
“I want to make sure that the health, safety, and security of all delegates here in the city are given priority by every local official,” Uy’s message stated and thanked DepEd for choosing Cagayan de Oro as this year’s host for NSPC and NFOT.
The city chief executive e encouraged every young journalist to safeguard the truth and value the importance of integrity.
DepEd, in its Facebook post, wrote that the NSPC could serve as a platform for student journalists to showcase their competencies and compete in various categories of journalism while the NFOT provides the students with an avenue to hone their creativity, talents, and skills in creative industries.
Best NSPC and NFOT products, services, and performances may be “showcased as authentic pieces of evidence of their learning across academic areas, key stages, inclusion, and special curricular programs.”
NSPC and NFOT are annual competitions which the DepEd organizes, the hosting of which is alternately held in the country three island groupings—Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon.
While it is Cagayan de Oro’s first as host of NSPC, it is the second time for Northern Mindanao region since NSPC 1998 was held in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental.
Contests venues for both events are in 12 areas, including Liceo de Cagayan University, Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan, Pilgrim Christian College, and the Asian Business Cabletow Cooperative Academy.
The delegates, consisting of contestants and coaches, are billeted in 17 public schools that were inspected since last year by a DepEd Central Office-based team.
Awarding ceremonies for this year’s NSPC is set Thursday, July 20, at Xavier University (Main Campus) gymnasium.
The last NSPC and NFOT were held in 2020 which Tuguegarao City and Ilagan City, Isabela hosted, respectively, just days before the Covid-19 pandemic was declared.
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