TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) Eastern Samar Division and the Diocese of Borongan have forged a partnership to strengthen values formation among public school learners through voluntary catechism sessions under Project SARIG.
Project SARIG, or Strengthening Maka-Diyos and Maka-Tao Core Values Through Voluntary Catechism Sessions for Holistic Learner Wellness, was formally launched during a two-day division-based orientation held Aug. 25-26 at Wheeler’s Events Hall in Borongan City.
The activity brought together district and school heads, diocesan catechetical leaders, and more than 100 volunteer catechists from parishes across Eastern Samar.
The project aims to provide voluntary catechism sessions in public schools to complement the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education curriculum and help promote the spiritual, moral, emotional and social well-being of learners.
A major highlight of the launch was the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between DepEd Eastern Samar and the Diocese of Borongan, formalizing their cooperation in implementing the project.
Representing DepEd during the ceremonial signing were Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Raymund Capacite and Schools Governance and Operations Division Chief Marixel Evardone.
The Diocese of Borongan was represented by Bishop Most Rev. Crispin Varquez, and Rev. Fr. Michael Kay Rebamontan.
Under the agreement, volunteer catechists will conduct voluntary sessions in public schools in coordination with school officials. The sessions are intended to reinforce core values while complementing existing DepEd programs.
DepEd emphasized that Project SARIG is designed to support holistic learner development and that catechetical activities will not replace the regular school curriculum.
The agency and the Diocese of Borongan said they are committed to sustaining the partnership and promoting values-driven education that supports the overall development of learners in Eastern Samar.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
