Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte cited the recent survey of the OCTA Research that showed the Department of Education (DepEd) as the most trusted and top performing national government agency is a proof that the agency is on the right path.

During the DepEd flag raising ceremony on Monday, Undersecretary Michael Poa read the message of Duterte who was not feeling well in past few days and was advised by her doctors to take a bed rest.

In her message, Duterte urged the men and women of DepEd to “tap on each others back for a job well done” as the best Christmas gift that they can possibly give themselves.

“We celebrate Christmas with hearts overflowing with gratitude with great sense of optimism about the fulfillment of the promise of the MATATAG Agenda knowing full well that the nation is behind us,” Duterte said.

“The best Christmas gift that we could give the Filipino people, especially our learners, is our unrelenting committment to integrity, professionalism, and public service,” she added.

12 days of Christmas 

The DepEd also kicked off its 12 days of Christmas themed “Makulay ang Pasko ng Pamilyang Pilipino (The Christmas of every Filipino family is colorful)” to celebrate the love, optimism, and the resilience of Filpinos featuring Filipino learners’ creativity.

“Each day, we’ll feature activites highlighting the heart of every Filipino. This activities include carolling for a cause, gift giving and outreach events with indigenous peoples communities and persons deprived of liberty,” Duterte announced.

On Wednesday, DepEd will hold a nationwide activity targeting to plant 236,000 trees as a “Christmas gift” for the Filipino children.

The 12 days of Christmas will begin with a national thanksgiving mass and a family day.

“Across the country, our schools will become shining examples of the way Filipino families celebrate Christmas as a time of renewal of faith and a time for gratitude,” Duterte said.

“Let us celebrate the values that we keep as a family entrusted with the future of the nation, and as a family, let us celebrate our triumphs, but also reflect on the abundance of lessons we learned from losing,” she added. (PNA) 

Photo credit: Facebook/DepartmentOfEducation.PH