Five Teachers Attend the 2016 Guidance Counselors’ Seminar in Bacolod City

The Division of San Juan City was able to send five delegates in Bacolod City to attend the 2016 Annual National Professional Development Program for Guidance Counselors last April 20-22, 2016.

The selected teachers participated in the national program for Guidance Counselors are as follow; Ms. Leonita A. Bensan, Guidance Counselor, San Juan National High School, Mrs. Lovely M. Gidayawan, Guidance Teacher, San Juan Elementary School, Mrs. Marrilour T. Bulfango, Guidance Teacher, Salapan Elementary School, Mrs. Nancy R. Racho, Guidance Teacher, Sta. Lucia Elementary School and Mrs. Lourdes Victoria M. Claor, Guidance Teacher, Nicanor Ibuna Elementary School.

The Annual National Professional Development Program for Guidance Counselors is spearheaded by Dr. Zenaida Q. Asidao, RGC, a retired DepEd NCR Supervisor and the current president of DepEd Guidance Counselors in the Philippines or GCAP. She is being assisted by Dr. Lucila D. Gener, RGC, Guidance Supervisor in the Division of Manila.

One of the highlights of the three-day seminar was the topic delivered by Atty. Tonisito M.C. Umali, Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs. He talked about “The Guidance Counselors in the Philippines” and he clearly discussed Republic Act No. 10533 which is known as the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.

The Act on Career Guidance and Counseling Advocacy aims to properly guide the students in choosing the career tracks that they intend to pursue, the DepEd, in coordination with the DOLE, the TESDA and the CHED, shall regularly conduct career advocacy activities for secondary level students. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 27 of Republic Act No. 9258, otherwise known as the “Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004”.

In this regard, the importance of Guidance Counselors is undeniably needed to address such concern. Thus, the main task of the teachers attended the seminar is to cascade the topics in the Division level come school opening specifically in the secondary level for the Career Guidance Program of the students before entering the Senior High School.

The national training of the five teachers in Bacolod City was made possible thru the generosity of DepEd San Juan in partnership with the local government who shouldered the Registration Fee and the Traveling Expenses of our delegates.