RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER SCORES PUBLIC SERVICE

May 3, 2025 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

Public service is a public trust. Guest speaker Julius W. Bangnan, retired Chief Education Supervisor, in his remarks , underscored the value of public service, marking the 37th founding anniversary celebration of the Department of Education -Cordillera. “The phrase “Public office, is a public trust” …all positions in government or public service have the responsibility to act in their best in nourishing their plans.” Bangnan stressed. ‘Apay ngay nga siyak paylaeng ket, adu met aglalaing nga tattao ta. Pagkatapos siyak ti isango da dagita excellent nga tattao.“, Bangnan humbly joked about feeling unqualified to speak in front of so many excellent individuals.

Bangnan expressed heartfelt gratitude for being invited as a guest speaker, sharing how returning felt like coming home. “The thought of coming here to meet especially my colleagues and everybody, made me say, “Wen samet, mapan ak” and so, here I am today. It’s nice, feeling to be back home.” , said Bangnan, expressing heartfelt gratitude for being invited as a guest speaker, sharing how returning felt like coming home. He recounted the formation of DepEd CAR, then known as DECS-CAR (Department of Education, Culture, and Sports) was carved out of Regions I and II before being formalized under the Cordillera Administrative Region. The regional office moved to its current site in Wangal in 1995.

Despite early challenges such as limited resources and uncertainty about the region’s continuity, the office progressed through strong leadership and dedicated personnel, Bangnan added. Regional Director Estela P. Leon-Cariño for her part , expressed her deep gratitude to the past and present leaders of DepEd CAR, emphasizing how their legacy continues to inspire current efforts toward excellence despite
the challenges and policies they face. This year’s theme, “Cultivating Excellence, Innovating Possibilities,” highlights the celebration of the legacy and achievements in education while also paving the way for a future focused on excellence and innovation.

Ronald B. Castillo, Director III/Assistant Regional Director, scored DepEd CAR’s major accomplishments, including the Cordillera region’s achievement of gaining the highest functional literacy rate and its outstanding performance in the Program for International
Student Assessment (PISA) assessment. “We outperformed other regions in the PISA, and the highest functional literacy rate of population, age 10-64 years old in the country”, Castillo stated. Retired Administrative Officer V, Eleonora A. Albidas, shared a testimonial reflecting on her years of service. She began her career as a Clerk 1 in 1989, initially working in the personnel office and later in the records office. The celebration also honored 17 Regional Office employees with Loyalty Awards for 10 to 35 years of service, and acknowledged 19 retirees with tokens of appreciation for their contributions over the years.

Rizza Hull/UB Intern