By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Iloilo Provincial Government, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the University of the Philippines Visayas, launched two educational modules under the “Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya” (BES Probins) program.
The initiative aims to empower the youth through career guidance and responsible voting education.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the launch of the “Career Guidance Instructional Module (CGIM)” and the “Voter’s Education Instructional Module (VEIM)” on December 13 at Casa Real de Iloilo.
The event was attended by Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Rep. Jojo Ang, Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor, DepEd officials, local leaders, module developers, and students.
The CGIM is designed to help secondary students align their career choices with the country’s labor requirements. It incorporates lessons on the National and Local Development Plans, enabling students to understand the direction of the government and the economy.
This module also aligns with Republic Act 11206, the Career Guidance and Counseling Act, authored by Gov. Defensor during his tenure as congressman for Iloilo’s 3rd District.
Meanwhile, the VEIM educates students to become informed voters capable of making thoughtful decisions during national elections.
Gov. Defensor highlighted the provincial government’s dedication to building an educational system aligned with the needs of the government, economy, and industries.
“We want the product of our public school system to be the professionals and workers needed by the economy of the country,” he said.
“We want to be there as they choose a career and we want to teach them the direction of the country, the government, and the economy so that they become the human resource that we need and that they could have a job when they graduate,” he added.
He also emphasized the broader goals of the BES Probins Program, which include improving education infrastructure, upgrading facilities, and supporting public school operations.
“We want to contribute our fair share in the creation of a human resource and an electorate that is intelligent,” Defensor said.
The BES Probins program is an initiative to create an effective, relevant, and transformative education system in Iloilo Province. It provides support for public school infrastructure, facilities, operations, and other DepEd programs.
