Over 400 School Heads in Eastern Visayas came together in Ormoc City last November 28-30, 2016 to attend the very first School Leaders’ Congress devised by the DepEd Regional Office VIII with the direction of Dr. Ramir B. Uytico, CESO IV.

Just a few weeks after the banner project of the region entitled Project LEAD (Lead, Empower and Achieve through Data-Driven Decisions) was launched, this new and unique congress was organized in order to capacitate the School Heads –  the leaders of the foremost level of the Department where teaching and learning process happens – on strategic leadership and program implementation which will support them in their discharge of functions stipulated in RA 9155.

The three-day Congress started off with the Regional Director himself who gave the participants a talk about Strategic Leadership emphasizing that one, especially a school head, needs to be a strategic leader in order to achieve goals in a more efficient manner.

The Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of Tacloban City Division, Dr. Carmelino Bernadas, CESO VI, also gave a talk on Harnessing the School Leaders’ Oral Communication Skills which focused on the importance of good oral communication among school leaders.

A short Press Forum cum Talkshow also occurred where the School Heads were able to raise their questions to the three lawyers upfront including the OIC Assistant Regional Director – Atty. Rhoan L. Orebia, the head of the Legal Unit of DepEd RO8 – Atty. Eleanor Calumpiano and the head of the Legal Unit of Ormoc City Division – Atty. Harriett Sultan. Various questions and matters for clarifications came about from the School Heads and each were readily answered by the lawyers present.

The second and third day sessions of the Congress were graced and facilitated by no less than Alexander Arevalo, CESO III, and the top Executive Director of the Civil Executive Service Board herself – Atty. Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones, CESO I.

“Do not forget that we are all doing this so that the children of Region 8 will have a better future. These are all for them,” said Dr. Uytico in his closing message as he posed a challenge to the School Heads to be a strategic leader and apply the concepts and knowledge they have gained in the congress as they go back to their respective schools.