Update Report from the President

ATTACHMENT A

Update Report from the President

(September– December 2010)

Organizational Strengthening and Capability-Building

• Report on the 2010 CEAP National Convention(22 – 24 September 2010, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City)

The 2010 CEAP National Convention held at the Waterfront Cebu CityHotel in Lahug, Cebu was successfully concluded with no less than2,748 delegates from the 1,290 member-schools of the CEAP, at least 52experts and specialists in ecology and environment as well aseducation luminaries, and officers and members of the Catholic Churchled by the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, His Excellency, Most Reverend Nereo Odchimar.

On the second day, at least 12 best practices on environment werepresented by selected schools in the morning and 22 concurrentsessions on the theme and issues affecting school administration in the afternoon.The convention was enriched by the wonderful cultural
presentations of the students of the University of San Jose Recoletos.

Convention delegates also witnessed the signing of a partnershipagreement with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) for the nationwide implementation of Generation Redemption and Expansion ofNatural Resources Initiatives in the Philippine (GREENIN' Philippines).Another agreement was signed with the Knowledge ChannelFoundation Inc. aimed at assisting selected small and mission schoolsof the CEAP deliver quality learning and teaching materials through multimedia.Finally, new members of CEAP were announced.

The 2010 CEAP National Convention was considered by delegates as one of the best conventions held in the history of the CEAP.(See full article in the CEAP Bulletin)

• 2011 CEAP National Convention (23 – 25 September 2011, Davao City)

The 2011 CEAP National Convention which shall focus on the theme of “Peace” will be on 23- 25 September 2011 in Davao City. Initial plans have been drawn with the help of advocates and friends under the leadership of the Programs and Scholarship Committee Chairperson, Fr. Antonio F. Moreno, SJ, CEAP Vice-President.

The first notice for the 2011 CEAP National Convention will be released by the third week of February 2011 to allow schools to include the 2011 convention in their plans for the next school year.

• Update on the CEAP By-Laws

The CEAP National Board in its meeting last 15 December 2010 threshed out all the pending issues pertinent to the CEAP By-laws. As it was given the mandate to finalize all the amendments to the By-laws during the General Assembly last 23 September 2010 following the extensive regional consultation meetings conducted in the last two years, the Board shall within the month send a copy of the By-laws to all the school heads/representatives.

The amended CEAP By-laws is a milestone achievement of the association as it is a product of consultation and consensus-building that clarified the operating principles and regionalization initiatives of CEAP. More than the document as a final product, it is the process of revisiting and studying the By-laws which has to be valued by the association as it continues to write its history as the largest educational association in the country fulfilling the teaching function of the Catholic Church.

• National Commissions and Committees of CEAP Organized

In the Organizational Meeting last 23 September 2010 of the newly-elected CEAP National Board, the Commissions and Committees were constituted to allow for the continuity of plans and programs of these national bodies. Attachment B lists the composition of these commissions and committees. Proposals, suggestions and recommendations may be forwarded to these bodies through the National Secretariat. The mandate and composition of these bodies have been clarified in the amended CEAP By-laws and it is expected that all the regional units of CEAP will constitute their regional commissions and committees. Many of these national bodies have done significant work during the months after the National Convention, details of which may be found in the CEAP Bulletin and the CEAP main website ( In the same vein, the Regional Units have also tirelessly continued with their work in the regions. Details and news accounts of these programs and activities are found in the CEAP Bulletin and the CEAP main website.

In the said meeting, Fr. Joel E. Tabora was unanimously appointed as Chairperson of the CEAP Advocacy Commission while Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos was unanimously appointed as Chairperson of the CEAP Religious Education Commission.

• 1st CEAP-FUSE 5-Day Training Course for Basic Education (18-22 October 2010, Baguio City)

As part of its Capability-Building initiatives, the CEAP Basic Education Commission under the leadership of its Chairperson, Fr. Jun B. Baria forged a partnership with the Foundation for Upgrading the Standard of Education, Inc. (FUSE, Inc.). FUSE is a duly registered non-government organization which aims to upgrade the standard of education in the country through teacher training on the use of CONSTEC Materials (Continuing Studies via Technology). Hon. Salvador H. Escudero is the President of FUSE while RhodoraAngela F. Ferrer, CEAP Executive Director is the Chairperson of the FUSE Training Committee.

FUSE and CEAP piloted a five-day content upgrading for teachers of Elementary Science and Health, High School English, High School Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. This was held last 18 to 22 October 2010 for Regions 1, 2 and CAR at St. Louis School Center, Baguio City. The sessions in the five subject areas were held simultaneously. More than 130 teachers completed the training course. Also, each school was given training materials, handouts and a complete set of CONSTEC VCDS and TSM (Teaching Support Material) in the five areas mentioned. (See full article at

• 1stCEAP-ECCCE Joint Religious Education Summit and Strategic Planning Workshop (1-3 December 2010, Tagaytay City)

Forty-six (46) Catholic Educators and Catechetical Directors from all over the country gathered in Cavite to attend the first-ever summit on Catechetical and Catholic Education by CEAP and the Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education (ECCCE) at the Canossa House of Spirituality in Tagaytay City last December 1-3, 2010.

Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos, chair of the Religious Education Commission of CEAP and Secretary General of ECCCE, organized the joint summit and strategic planning workshop to intensify the campaign on effectively implementing the religious education programs of the dioceses and the public and private schools nationwide.

The strategic planning workshop was facilitated by Dr. Marissa Fernando of the Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary Development Institute (SAIDI) using the “appreciative inquiry” as a springboard for the workshops.Interspersed in the schedule are regular prayer services and daily masses, one of which was celebrated by Bishop Francisco M. De Leon of Antipolo.

The result of the workshops will be presented by Msgr. Santos in a formal report to the CEAP Board and to ECCCE Chair, Archbishop Socrates Villegas.As agreed upon by the delegates, the next summit will be held on November 30 - December 2, 2011 in Cebu to be hosted by the University of San Jose-Recoletos.(See full article at

• CEAP Superintendents’ Commission’s Mid-Year Assembly (1-4 February 2011, Malay, Aklan)

After reviewing the previous assemblies held in Davao, Laoag, Manila, Albay and Cebu, the CEAP SupCom officers led by the Chairperson, Fr. Paquito G. Gallego, the details of the Mid-Year Assembly were finalized and logistical and technical arrangements were made by the officers in coordination with the members of the coordinating and standing committee and in-house consultants.

The Mid-Year Assembly is slated on 1-4 February, 2011 at Casa Pilar, Boracay, Malay, Aklan. Themed “Paradigm Shifts in Leadership and Collaboration among CEAP Superintendents”, the assembly will be highlighted by Conversations with the DepEd on K + 12 with Bro. Armin A. Luistro, FSC, DepEd Secretary leading the dialogue and consultations with the CEAP Superintendents and Conversations with invited Local Ordinaries and Major Superiors of Religious Congregations and Societies of Apostolic Life with several bishops and major superiors representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao as discussants.

Networking and Linkage-Building

• COCOPEA’s Regional Consultations on K + 12

After a series of meetings with top officials of the Department of Education, COCOPEA initiated regional consultations among its member-schools and partners on the K + 12 program being proposed by DepEd tapping its recently-constituted Regional COCOPEA Boards of Commissioners. It can be recalled that the thrust of regionalization was a highlight of the 3rd COCOPEA National Congress in February 2010.

Last 26 October 2010, Region 4 had its regional consultation with resource persons led by Dr. Chito B. Salazar (President, Phinma Education Network), Dr. Vincent K. Fabella (President, Jose Rizal University) and Dr. Horacio M. Montefrio (President, International Electronics and Technical Institute School System) discussing the K + 12 Model and its Tri-Level Implications.

COCOPEA NCR Consultation on K + 12 was held last 23-24 November 2010 at the Pearl Hotel, Manila, COCOPEA Luzon A (Regions 1-3, CAR) Consultation was held last 27 November 2010 at the University of Baguio, Baguio City and COCOPEA Visayas Consultation was held last 30 November 2010 at the University of San Carlos, Cebu City.

COCOPEA Mindanao Consultations are scheduled on 21 January 2011 at the Ateneo de Zamboanga, Zamboanga City and on 27 January 2011 at the Misamis University, Ozamiz City.

Members of the CEAP Regional Councils and school heads/presidents/directors are invited to attend these regional consultations. For details, please contact the Advocacy and Special Events Unit of CEAP at (02) 926-5153 or email . The DepEd discussion paper on K + 12 may be downloaded from the ceap website (

The regional consultations are being organized by the COCOPEA Task Force on Basic Education (TFBEd). Fr. Jun Baria, Chairperson of the CEAP Basic Education Commission, Sister Irene Torres, RA, School Director of Assumption Antipolo and Rhodora Angela F. Ferrer, CEAP Executive Director represent CEAP in the TFBEd. The TFBEd is planning a COCOPEA National Basic Education Summit in February 2011.

• COCOPEA’s Roundtable Discussions/Dialogues with national education officials

Following the appointments of key education officials of the Aquino Administration, COCOPEA initiated roundtable discussions/dialogues with DepEd’s Bro. Armin A. Luistro, FSC, CHEd’s Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan, TESDA’s Joel Villanueva and PRCofficials. These roundtable discussions have resulted in several successes for COCOPEA and CEAP such as the inclusion of COCOPEA in the Steering Committee of K + 12 and in all its Technical Working Groups, the constituting of a TESDA-COCOPEA Task Forceand COCOPEA inputs in draft CMO 42 (see Advocacy and Communications report on p. 6)

Issues of concern that are still being pursued are the proposed ESC guidelines for next school year, the revised Manual of Regulations for Private Schools in Basic Education and the implementation details and legislative support for K + 12.

• CEAP’s Ongoing Partnerships

Renewal of the Go Genuine Program with Microsoft Philippines

CEAP signed a three-year renewal of the Go Genuine licensing program for CEAP member-schools. This took effect on 1 April 2010 and will end on 31 March 2013. Schools are encouraged to avail of this program which results in substantial discounts for CEAP schools. For details please contact the Plans, Programs and Research Unit (PPRU) of the National Secretariat (care of Aric).

Adobe-CEAP Cumulative Licensing Program (CLP)

For the period July – November 2010, CEAP was enrolled in the Cumulative Licensing Program (CLP) of Adobe which resulted in substantial discounts for CEAP member-schools in the purchase of Adobe products. PPRU is scheduled to renegotiate with Adobe for possibly another six-months.

RAFI’s GREENIN’ Philippines Program with CEAP schools

The GREENIN’ Philippines Program seeks to develop, protect, enhance,and co-manage denuded forestlands, including bushlandsand degradedresidual natural forests. It was formed as RAFI’s way of contributingto the country’s commitment of achieving the seventh goal of the
Millennium Development Goals, which is to ensure environmentalsustainability by reversing the loss of natural resources. Theprogram goes beyond the usual tree-planting interventions. It involves using native tree seedlings as viable planting materials in all itsrestoration and rehabilitation efforts.

RAFI will coordinate closely with CEAP in the development of adetailed implementation plan and provide the necessary technicalsupport in the execution of the GREENIN’ Philippines Program. RAFIwill also facilitate a process that will enjoin all regional membersto commit to the implementation of the GREENIN’ Philippines Program intheir respective areas. The foundation will also facilitate thetransfer of program technologies, systems, and capacities to CEAP members. As a partner, CEAP will champion the GREENIN’ Philippinesprogram by cascading program purpose, principles, systems, processes,approaches, and interventions to its respective member schools.

Advocacy and Communications

• Report from the Advocacy Commission

Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J., Chairperson of the CEAP National Advocacy Commission, reported to the CEAP National Board the successes of the commission as of December 2010 during the CEAP National Board Meeting. Highlighted in the report were the key areas of engagement of the Advocacy Commission namely Peace Issues/Mindanao Issues, Key Education Reform, General Education, Tax Issues, Environmental Issues and the Reproductive Health (Bill). The Commission regularly meets during the first Monday of the month.

Peace/Mindanao Issues

Ably headed by retired judge and long-time peace advocate, Atty. Dory Cruz-Avizado brings into the group her rich professional and experiential expertise. Through her linkage with other peace advocates her group was able to identify major areas for engagement.

A proposal to draft a revised Law Curriculum to highlight Legal Ethics was made with the help of Atty. Tony Laviña. Another proposal to integrate Human Rights and Peace Education to the general education curriculum was made through the active and pivotal participation of Fr.Joel Tabora, SJ in the CHED Technical Panel for General Education.

Ateneo de Zamboanga University through the scholarship of Prof. Rudy B. Rodil is currently addressing the need to rewrite the history of Mindanao through the project - “Achieving Peace and Justice in Mindanao through the Tri-People Approach: A Huge Challenge”. The project is now on its third draft.

On November 23, 2010, the CEAP through the leadership of the Advocacy Commission issued a statement titled “Remembering with Anguish and Pain: A Call for Justice for the Victims of the Maguindanao Massacre”. The statement is a reiteration of a previous call to the government to exhaust all available means to ensure that there is no immunity accorded to those responsible for the macabre mass murder. The statement was circulated among member-schools and sent to concerned government agencies, media, partner organizations and advocacy communities.

Key Education Reforms/General Education

The one education house as a policy concern for CEAP has been temporarily set aside to allow the Commission to attend to more urgent concerns. The advocates of this group, however, expressed the need for a short-term solution, which is the creation of a Supra- committee that shall oversee and coordinate the operations of the three education agencies. However, a long-term solution to address the structural flaws in education agencies shall be through legislation. A study of existing education laws and eventual formulation of a rational education code will be undertaken by the group.

Another highlighted concern was the problem created by the conflicts between PRC and CHED, specifically on the qualifications of faculty. Consequently, a draft amendment to Section 11 of the PRC Act of 2000 was written by Atty. Maria Rose Sergio of Ateneo De Naga University, concurred in by the Commission.

The Commission also evaluated the proposed amendments to the EGASTPE Law and found some provisions questionable. A position paper on the matterwill be written by CEAP. The Commission is in constant coordination with the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE) as regards this issue.

Tax Issues

On behalf of CEAP's Advocacy Commission, Atty. Ada Abad drafted an exploratory draft of a comprehensive bill seeking absolute tax exemptions of non-stock, non-profit educational institutions from national and local taxes. The draft was intended to maximize tax exemption for non-stock, non-profit schools and stimulate the technical discussion within the Commission.

After an initial assessment and discussion of this draft in the Commission, the merit of seeking clarification of the constitutional exemption of schools was reiterated. Furthermore, Atty. Cesar Villanueva, Dean of the Ateneo de Manila Law School and Chair of the Committee on Taxation of the Commission, articulated the possibility of seeking tax exemptions from local taxes and regulatory fees by virtue of a legislation. Dean Villanueva volunteered to formulate a bill which will embody the Commission’s recommendations. The draft bill will be submitted to the CEAP Board for its consideration.

Reproductive Health Bill

As observed, the RH Bill seems to be moving rather quickly in the legislative process. Apparently, it is one of the priority bills in the House of the Representatives. Fr. Archie Intengan, SJ presented the discussion points on the proposed RH Bill during the CEAP National Board Meeting in December. CEAP shall continue to reiterate its position to remove the questionable provisions in the RH Bill and shall work with groups and associations which share this position.