By Merlinda Hernando-Malipot  Amid a myriad of challenges, the Department of Education (DepEd) continues to encourage Alternative Learning System (ALS) teachers to set the standard of excellence in the delivery of quality basic education to the “last, the lost, and the least.” (MANILA BULLETIN) In an effort to recognize the exemplary performance and immense contribution of the ALS Mobile Teachers and District ALS Coordinators (DALSCs) in the delivery of quality basic education for out-of-school children, youth and adults (OSCYAs), the DepEd recently held the first National Recognition for Exemplary DepEd-Delivered ALS Teachers in Dapitan City. Secretary Leonor Briones congratulated the awardees and their fellow ALS teachers and expressed appreciation for their devotion, commitment, and the service that they continue to render to Filipino learners. The DepEd’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for ALS, through the ALS Task Force, recognized 17 regional awardees whose work in geographically isolated, disadvantaged, marginalized, and conflict-affected areas and communities exemplifies the dedication and hard work of ALS teachers in the promotion of literacy and quality basic education. Briones, in a video message, also thanked that awardees for the “opportunities that you have brought them, the doors that you have opened so that they will live fruitful lives even as they do not have the opportunity to go to regular school.” She noted that the ALS teachers and coordinators “who has contributed to the success of this program which will surely be a major legacy for this administration.” The best of the best Evaluated and endorsed by their respective Schools Division Offices and Regional Offices based on personality and character, competence, professional growth, work achievement, impact on learners, and community development, a total of 17 teachers and District ALS Coordinator (DALSC) received the award. The awardees included Lorna Calletong (Mobile Teacher, Region I); Alona Torres (Mobile Teacher, Region II); Ednalyn Fajardo (DALSC, Region III); Ma. Theresa Criste (DALSC, Region IV-A); Mia Jara Pintor (DALSC, MIMAROPA); Gil S.B. Depositario (Mobile Teacher, Region V); Jaspare Barrido (Mobile Teacher, Region VI); Rima Erames (Mobile Teacher, Region VII); Rosemarie Rey (Mobile Teacher, Region VIII); Josefina Macario (DALSC, Region IX); Marsan Alvarez (DALSC, Region X); Jinglebert Collado (Mobile Teacher, Region XI); Alma Libres (Mobile Teacher, Region XII); Renante Cabalang (DALSC, Cordillera Administrative Region); Romar Amolo (DALSC, CARAGA); Isnaira Haron (DALSC, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and Evie Madolid (DALSC, National Capital Region). Meanwhile, Windel Alvarez, a Dangal ng Bayan awardee whose life has been dedicated to ensuring that fisher folks and their families in Sitio Lipata, Caramoan, Camarines Sur are able to have basic education through ALS, was also this year’s recipient of the Service Excellence Award. Alvarez shared that he was a college drop-out for five years before he was able to continue his studies and become an ALS teacher. “It never occurred to me that I will become an ALS mobile teacher, I had no idea of its duties and responsibilities,” he said. “All I had in mind was to help and educate others through the formal system of education, inside the four walls of a classroom but it seems I am more blessed to perform a special call of duty,” he added. Aside from recognizing the outstanding performance of ALS teachers, the national recognition likewise aims to encourage ALS teachers amid myriad challenges and to set the standard of excellence in the delivery of quality basic education to the last, the lost, and the least. DepEd Assistant Secretary for ALS G.H. Ambat, in her keynote speech, reminded the ALS teachers of the tasks ahead. She noted that the year 2019 is a “banner year” for ALS since the formation of the ALS Task Force as well as the National Training of Trainors happened this year. “We rolled out the Life Skills Module because we know that it’s not enough that our learners know how to read, write, and count,” Ambat said. “We also have the ALS 2.0. We in Central Office, in the Task Force, learned a lot from you ,” she added. Aside from Ambat, also present during the awarding ceremonies were ALS Task Force head Director Marilette Almayda, Dapitan City Councilor Christopher Ma, DepEd Region III Director Nicolas Capulong, DepEd Region IX Isabelita Borres, DepEd Region X Arturo Bayocot, DepEd CARAGA Director Francis Cesar Bringas, DepEd Region IV-A Assistant Regional Director Ruth Fuentes, DepEd Region VIII Assistant Regional Director Arnulfo Balane, schools division superintendents, assistant schools superintendents, schools division chiefs, and regional ALS focal persons. As she thanked the ALS teachers, Ambat also reminded them that there is so much that needs to be done especially now that the DepEd - through the formal school pivots from access to quality of education. “We say that ALS is a second-chance program, so we have to deliver quality education programs because our students have their dreams as well,” she ended.