By Glenn D. Tipay-EPS II SMN
The Schools Division Office honored 120 education partners and recognized the winners of the Division Search for the 2026 Brigada Eskwela Best Implementing Schools during the Stakeholders Convergence on October 16, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center, SM Central.
The gathering, which began at 1 p.m., brought together public schools district supervisors, education program supervisors, school heads, Brigada Eskwela and Adopt-a-School Program coordinators, invited stakeholders, division partners, and SDO personnel.
Plaques of recognition were presented to 40 sustained stakeholders of the Schools Division Office and 80 sustained stakeholders of individual schools, acknowledging their continued support for education.
Feligena Bugay, Education Program Supervisor in Values Education, welcomed the school officials, educators, coordinators, and stakeholders gathered for the occasion. Her welcome message opened the recognition program, which honored the continued support of education partners and the achievements of schools in implementing Brigada Eskwela.
Schools Division Superintendent Imelda P. Macaspac, PhD, CESO V, delivered the inspirational message. The gathering brought the division’s leadership together with the school communities and partners whose contributions were recognized, giving the awarding ceremony a shared focus on the people and institutions supporting education.
Representing the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) Foundation, Program Head Specialist Milky Llorente delivered a message of commitment. His participation brought a private-sector partner’s voice to the program, alongside the recognition of stakeholders who have sustained their support for the Schools Division Office and its schools.
The Brigada Eskwela awards recognized schools across seven elementary and secondary categories.
Iram II Integrated School was named champion in the Small Elementary School Category, with Amelia Heights Elementary School placing second.
In the Medium Elementary School Category, the Special Education Center for the Gifted took the championship, followed by Barretto II Elementary School in second place and Nellie E. Brown Elementary School in third.
Gordon Heights II Elementary School topped the Large Elementary School Category. Mabayuan Elementary School finished second, while Balic-Balic Elementary School placed third.
For the Mega Large Elementary School Category, Gordon Heights I Elementary School emerged as champion, with Sta. Rita Elementary School and Old Cabalan Integrated School taking second and third places, respectively.
Among secondary schools, Iram High School won the Medium Secondary School Category. New Cabalan Senior High School placed second, followed by Mabayuan Senior High School in third.
Regional Science High School III secured the championship in the Large Secondary School Category, ahead of Tapinac Senior High School in second place and New Cabalan National High School in third.
Olongapo City National High School led the Mega Large Secondary School Category. Gordon Heights National High School was named second placer, while Kalalake National High School finished third.
The program also included the awarding of Outstanding School Implementers of Character-based Education, Year 3, facilitated by Feligena Bugay, education program supervisor in Values Education. Ricardo E. Ednave, chief of the Schools Governance and Operation Division, delivered the closing remarks, concluding the recognition of school implementers and the partners who continue to support them.
