DLSU Alternative Learning System (ALS) Batch 5 Learners recently toured the National Museum in Manila and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) - Women’s Center in Taguig last November 12 and 18 respectively. The said tours served as alternative activities to the learners’ regular classroom-based sessions and workshops. The National Museum Tour aimed at enriching their knowledge of Philippine History, Arts and Culture. The TESDA Tour on the other hand, provided them an opportunity to see future learning possibilities once they’ve passed DepEd’s ALS-Accreditation and Equivalency Test. The said educational tours could not have been possible if it were not for the meaningful engagement of two active student organizations of De La Salle University namely: Economics Organization (EconOrg) for the TESDA Tour and the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) for the National Museum Visit. The sponsorship of these two student organizations paved the way for enhanced learning experiences that will prepare learners for their ultimate challenge of hurdling the National Accreditation and Equivalency Test (AET) early next year. Passing this test will qualify them as Junior High Graduates in the K+12 Curriculum. The partnership and engagement of these student organizations are highly commendable. It paves the way for further sustainable and impactful projects with the learners in the future. This example of engagement is also an invitation to other student organizations, offices and like-minded individuals to help in COSCA’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Localization Project through one of its components, the Lasallian Accessible, Relevant and Alternative Learning (L-ARAL). For possible partnership and engagement in relation to L-ARAL component community engagement menu, please feel free to contact the University Community Engagement and Development (UCED) Program Manager and/or L-ARAL Development Specialist of COSCA. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 524-4611 to 19 Locals 417 & 147
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Did you know that Esteros (waterways) in Metro Manila play a vital role both in society and in our environment? It served as trading and transport route during the Spanish Era. As a small ecosystem and contributory stream to larger water bodies, it filters pollutants, recycles potentially-harmful nutrients, absorbs excess water during heavy rains, and help recharge underground aquifers. Despite their historical and ecological significance, these waterways however remain neglected. There are approximately two hundred seventy (270) esteros in Metro Manila that are poor in state. They are extremely polluted, causes frequent flooding due to waste, holds large number of informal settlers, surrounded with huge establishments encroaching its perimeters and lack proper management. Our “own” Estero De Maytubig and Estero Fort San Antonio De Abad are no different. To respond to this situation, De La Salle University (DLSU) has decided to participate in the rehabilitation of its nearby Esteros. It is our priority contribution to risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures in our own community. The university through the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) became part of the Adopt-an-Estero Program in collaboration with Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the City Government of Manila in June 2016. The project aims to a) restore the ecological services of Estero De Maytubig and Estero Fort San Antonio De Abad; b) raise public awareness on its intrinsic values; c) collaborate with internal and external stakeholders; and d) sustain efforts through policy and regulation. Last October 1, COSCA mobilized various stakeholders for the first clean-up of the two esteros. With the theme “Bayan Ko, Linis Ko,” the clean-up was organized in support to the country’s National Clean-Up Day. A total of 147 people composed of 4 DLSU students, 3 ALS-DLSU students, 22 DLSU employees, 74 Barangay Partners (707, 714, 717, 718, 719, and 720), 5 EMB-DENR technical staff, 17 DPWH workers, 8 MMDA personnel, and 14 Manila LGU staff, participated in the event. The event was graced by DLSU Vice President for Lasallian Mission, Br. Michael J. Broughton FSC and COSCA Director, Ma. Lourdes F. Melegrito. Through their combined efforts, fifty (50) sacks of wastes were collected. Future plans include partnership with the Gokongwei College of Engineering (GCOE) for research and technology development, consultation at the Barangay and City level for long-term interventions and linkage with business sectors surrounding the estero. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 De La Salle University through the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) partnered with the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (National University of Malaysia), the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo de Manila University for the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program (AYVP) 2016. AYVP is a youth community leadership program that mobilizes volunteers aged 18 to 30 from across the 10 ASEAN member states. AYVP works with communities to develop innovative solutions to the social, cultural, economic and environmental challenges of the region while forging a sense of ASEAN identity. With the theme, “The Development of ASEAN Youth DRR-Leaders through Volunteerism and Community Engagement,” 50 ASEAN volunteers or AYVP DRR-Leaders embarked on a 4 week knowledge-driven, volunteerism journey in Metro Manila from August 1 to 26, 2016.
The 1st week involved Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) training aimed at preparing volunteers for their fieldwork. DLSU experts from various disciplines provided vital input on disaster risk reduction. Dr. Marlon Era from DLSU’s Behavioral Sciences Department provided an overview of the DRR situation in the Philippines. He also discussed salient points of Republic Act 10121 (RA 10121) or the Philippines’ Disaster Risk Reduction Management Law, together with several DRR best practices in the country. Mr. Carl Fernandez, COSCA Program Manager also facilitated a session on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support during disasters. He provided participants with examples of how to care for the socio-emotional needs of both survivors and care givers during disasters. Practical DRRM knowledge and skills were also provided by leading DLSU Civil Society Partners such as the Center for Disaster Preparedness and Buklod Tao Inc. (BT), a Peoples’ Organization based in San Mateo, Rizal. For the next two weeks, the DRR leaders were deployed in local communities implementing disaster risk reduction programs. Twenty-five (25) of these participants were assigned to Buklod Tao’s Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Project along the vulnerable areas of the Banaba River (tributary of the Marikina River) in the Municipality of San Mateo, Rizal. As volunteers of the organization, the DRR leaders participated in various activities including community hazard mapping, ASEAN Awareness Orientation, soil composting, paddle making, development and posting of emergency preparedness materials, among others. To know more about AYVP 2016, check out its webpage at http://www.ayvpukm.com.my/. For more information on COSCA's programs for the environment, you may contact Ms. Terteen Gail Omana at the: Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 Graduation rites were held at De La Salle University last August 4, 2016 for the nineteen (19) COSCA ALS Learners who passed the Department of Education's High School Accreditation and Equivalency Test (AET). Awarded with their respective medals and high school diplomas are the following learners:
Also recognized during the program are the following individuals and organizations with significant contributions to the program:
Dream More
Mr. Leo Tadena, Development Specialist of COSCA's Lasallian Accessible, Relevant and Alternative Learning (L-ARAL), went onstage next to provide a brief history about ALS and the graduating learners. He noted the significant roles played by two Lasallian Brothers in improving the educational situation in the country - Br. Andrew Gonzalez FSC who started ALS as the Non-Formal Education Program (NFE) of DepEd and Br. Armin Luistro FSC who institutionalized the K-12 educational reform program. Mr. Tadena reiterated that ALS should not be looked down upon as a program for school leavers only. "ALS is also an educational program taken by celebrities and TV personalities too," he said. With rising costs of education, ALS may even play a bigger role in helping needy children complete primary and secondary schooling. Second Chances After all the medals and certificates were awarded, Jester, one of the best performers in class, touched everyone present with her story of rising up from failure. She recalls how her rebellion against her family led her to smoke, drink and neglect her studies. It has even made her a mother at such a young age. She is very much thankful though for the second chance that ALS gave her. She challenged her batch mates to dream big and persevere: "Para sa mga estudyante na naririto, magsipagtapos din kayo ng pag-aaral at mangarap kayo ng mataas at sikapin ninyong abutin ito. Lahat ay kaya nating magawa o maabot basta't may tiwala ka sa sarili at sa Panginoon." Click here for FULL TEXT of her Message and Challenge to the Graduates. Click here for ALS Parents' Message of Thanks. Brgy. 704 Captain, Virginia Elizan also told graduates not to allow any obstacle to stand the way of their aspirations in life. As a fellow graduate of ALS (earlier called NFE), she remembered how she overcame all the difficulties of completing ALS while serving as a barangay official in 1997. To avail of the non-formal education program then, she had to form a foundation and gather forty-two other students like herself to enroll. She eventually finished high school and pursued Public Administration in College. Her secret to success: "Pag nangarap ka at sinamahan mo ng sipag at tiyaga, may kahihinatnan ang iyong pinaghirapan." Remember St. La Salle's Teachings
The DLSU-ALS is managed by the Center for Social Concern and Action as integral part of its University Community Engagement and Development Program (UCEDP) headed by Joseph Rosal. UCEDP is the lead unit of COSCA which is implementing direct Community Engagements as one of the strategic directions of the university and implements the localization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 Last July 21, 2016, the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) and the University Student Government's Office of the Vice President for External Affairs (USG-OVPEA) organized a talk on "The Role of Children and Youth in Helping Build a Peaceful Society." Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, Founder of the Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, related her own "peacetale" - the narrative that prepared her and hardened her commitment for peace. She also shared the journey of the Teach Peace Build Peace Movement and the many ways by which Lasallians may contribute to peace-building in their own spheres of influence. She emphasized that "Without a counter-narrative or a long-term strategic program to guide conflict-affected people, they will eventually become a problem of the Filipino society - they will either joing gangs, violent or terrorist groups, because they feel that they have a group who will defend them." She encouraged Lasallians to start peace-building by doing random acts of kindness for others. After all, "Every act of kindness is an act of peace," she said. The talk is part of #DLSULetsMOVE, a volunteerism week aimed at increasing awareness on social issues concerning education, poverty, peace, justice, and human rights. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 Last July 20, 2016, the second day of "#DLSULetsMOVE: Mobilizing Opportunities for Volunteer Experience," representatives from various educational programs for the poor, took turns in sharing their respective contributions in "Making Lasallian Education Accessible to the Poor." Quality Preschool Education at P50 per month First to share was Dr. Marianne Jennifer Gaerlan, the coordinator of the St. La Salle Preschool (SLSP). During her presentation, she talked about the need to heighten people's awareness about the school. Established as the university’s way of giving back to the community and at the same time a training ground for future Lasallian teachers; the school welcomes Nursery (3.5 to 4.5 year olds) and Pre-K (4.5 to 5.5 year olds) children from indigent families around Leveriza. Individuals and organizations may help the school by volunteering or by donating school supplies, uniforms, nutritious snacks, prizes for events, cleaning supplies, storage supplies plants or curtains. "Talaga bang dito dapat sila sa DLSU?" "Talaga bang dito dapat sila sa DLSU?" This and other thought provoking questions served as guide for Ms. Carmel Puertollano as she related the many challenges that Gawad Kalinga Scholars face in their journey as DLSU students. She also enjoined Lasallians to make DLSU more welcoming to those who have less in life by becoming more sensitive and understanding of the needs of our scholars. "What we easily shell out for school projects or night-outs may already be the scholar's allowance for a week or two," she adds. The GK Scholarship Program provides high school graduates from GK Villages and "Gillages" (communities around GK Villages) with the chance of completing Lasallian Education for free. Since 2013, the GK Scholarship Program has already produced fifty-nine (59) graduates, ten (10) Honorable Mentions and two (2) Cum Laudes from De La Salle Universty and the College of St. Benilde. Giving School Leavers a Second Chance through ALS Last to share was Mr. Leo Tadena, Development Specialist of the Lasallian Accessible, Relevant and Alternative Learning (L-ARAL) Project of COSCA. Leo shared how L-ARAL through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of DepEd, provides school leavers with a second chance in completing their high school education. Through weekday functional literacy learning sessions, learners are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills that will help them prepare for DepEd's Accreditation & Equivalency Exam. Passers of the said exam are awarded High School Diploma's which they may use in pursuing technical-vocational training, college education or employment. Just recently, the program achieved an 83% passing rate in the April 2016 Accreditation and Equivalency Exam. At present, L-ARAL is now coordinating with the St. La Salle Preschool, the GK Scholarship Program and other units in the university to fulfill its dream of having less fortunate children complete Lasallian Education from preschool to college. A similar bridging program is also being designed to help support ALS graduates who may want to pursue courses not currently offered by De La Salle University or the College of St. Benilde. To know more about how you can support this project, you may contact Leo Tadena at [email protected]. Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 |