By Baby Lea C. Divino, PDO II
OLONGAPO CITY — To strengthen education-to-industry pathways and expand career opportunities for Senior High School (SHS) learners, the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Olongapo City, in coordination with SDO Zambales, hosted the National Work Immersion Fair 2026 on September 11, 2026, at the SMX Convention, SM Central, Olongapo City.
The event was officially organized relative to Regional Memorandum No. 133, s. 2026, and its Addendum and Corrigendum No. 143, s. 2026. Tapinac Senior High School served as the host school for Region III, with all public and private Senior High Schools in the Schools Division of Olongapo City that piloted the Strengthened Senior High School (SSHS) Program extending full cooperation and support to ensure the event’s success.
The gathering convened key education leaders and stakeholders across Region III, including 21 Schools Division Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents, 21 TLE/Tech-Pro Supervisors and Work Immersion Focal Persons, and 168 School Heads. Each SSHS pilot implementer in the region was joined by an active industry partner representative.
The successful implementation of the Work Immersion initiative was supported by the dedicated efforts of Dr. Corazon Dumlao, Public Schools District Supervisor (PSDS) and Work Immersion Focal Person, whose coordination and commitment contributed to strengthening collaboration among schools, education officials, and industry partners in providing meaningful work immersion opportunities for SHS learners.
The morning opened with registration handled by Mabayuan Senior High School, followed by cultural performances during the opening ceremonies by Olongapo City National High School’s Special Program in the Arts.
Key local and regional officials delivered welcoming and inspirational messages, including DepEd Region Office III Assistant Regional Director Jessie L. Amin, CESO III, and Olongapo City Mayor Hon. Rolen C. Paulino, Jr. Video presentations highlighted core aspects of the Work Immersion Policy, insights from the President’s Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) presented , and a testimonial from Tapinac SHS alumnus Genesis Gervacio (Batch 2018) representing the “Voice of the Graduate.”
A major highlight of the program was the keynote address by Mr. Janir T. Datukan, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Teaching, who was introduced by SDO Olongapo City Schools Division Superintendent Imelda P. Macaspac, PhD, CESO V.
Asec. Datukan, alongside fellow DepEd officials, officially led the Unveiling of the Work Immersion Dashboard, a digital platform designed to streamline matching, tracking, and coordination between schools and prospective employers.
Stakeholder commitments were formally presented by Veronica A. Lorenzo, HR Manager of Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium, Inc., followed by expressions of gratitude from SDO Olongapo City Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Illynne S. Samonte, CESO VI, and Tapinac Senior High School Principal IV Mercedita S. Fernandez.
Following the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, delegates participated in dedicated School-Industry Matching Sessions and explored interactive industry exhibit booths, providing a platform for school administrators, immersion focal persons, and corporate representatives to establish training agreements, respond to labor market demands, and secure meaningful work immersion placements for Senior High School learners. The activity culminated in a Matching Session, where industry partners and SHS immersion coordinators finalized the number of learners each partner could accommodate during the work immersion period.
This was followed by an awarding ceremony led by Asec. Datukan, recognizing the valuable contributions of participating industry partners. The event formally concluded with a message from Senior Education Program Specialist Maricel S. Cariño of the Bureau of Curriculum Development, who underscored the Department of Education’s commitment to building sustainable partnerships that connect classroom learning with real-world employment opportunities.
Through the successful conduct of the National Work Immersion Fair 2026, the Schools Division Office of Olongapo City reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening education-industry collaboration and creating pathways that equip SHS learners with relevant skills, workplace experience, and greater opportunities for future employment.
