SDO Catbalogan-Planning and Research

Science Castle World | Tokyo, Japan

Learners from Samar National School, one of the largest secondary schools in the Schools Division of Catbalogan City, participated in Science Castle World held in Tokyo, Japan on December 12–15, 2025.

Science Castle World serves as an international platform for high school learners to present classroom-based research outputs with strong potential for collaboration with Japanese companies and institutions, supporting project development and advancing research-driven learning experiences.

The Schools Division Office of Catbalogan City extends its sincere appreciation to the Catbalogan City Local Government Unit, under the leadership of Mayor Dexter M. Uy, and to the Province of Samar, led by Governor Sharee Ann Tan, for their unwavering support and commitment to advancing quality education for Catbalogan learners.

This international engagement serves as a strong benchmark for strengthening research initiatives among high school learners and highlights the vital role of local government units in fostering a culture of research and innovation.

Together with the educators of SDO Catbalogan City, we commit to cascading the learnings and best practices from this experience to further enhance research engagement among Catbaloganons.

Benchmarking for Innovation, Learning Autonomy, and Global Collaboration

Educators from Samar National School (Dr. Floretes, Ms. Gayoso & Mr. Locion) and education leaders from SDO Catbalogan City (Dr. Ruedas and Atty. Tibre) engaged in a series of international benchmarking activities in Japan, aimed at strengthening research culture, innovation, and learner-centered practices in basic education.

Our benchmarking began with a visit to the Leave a Nest Japan Headquarters, where we were formally oriented on their mission of advancing science, technology, and education through collaboration among schools, researchers, and industry partners.

We then proceeded to the Center of Garage, an innovation hub in Japan that works closely with Leave a Nest to support research incubation, problem-solving, and science-driven entrepreneurship. The Center serves as a space where ideas are transformed into viable solutions through mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world application. Notably, Samar National School is the first public high school in the Philippines to conduct benchmarking at the Center of Garage, marking a milestone in international engagement.

This partnership was symbolically sealed as we placed our school logo on the Center’s wall—joining a community of institutions committed to innovation and research excellence.

The benchmarking concluded with a visit to Yokohama Soeie Junior & Senior High School, where the Vice Principal led an in-depth discussion on fostering learner autonomy. We observed classrooms implementing independent learning and Project-Based Learning (PBL), highlighting how structured freedom, trust, and inquiry-based approaches empower students to take ownership of their learning.

These experiences reinforce our commitment to data-driven leadership, global benchmarking, and continuous improvement, as we translate international best practices into meaningful, localized reforms for Philippine basic education.

Science Castle World in Tokyo, Japan!

The SDO Catbalogan City through Schools Governance and Operations Division (SGOD) proudly shares that Dr. Maribel C. Ruedas, Chief of SGOD, and Atty. Darrel C. Tibre, Senior Education Program Specialist for Planning & Research, have been invited to participate in the Science Castle World Conference and Benchmarking Program in Tokyo, Japan, on December 10–15, 2025.

They will accompany and support the Samar National School Educators namely Dr. Ermelinda C. Floretes, Ma'am Vanessa J. Gayoso and Sir Jayben P. Locion and Learners, whose exceptional research innovations have earned them the distinction of being Science Castle World Qualifiers. The delegation will present their research papers alongside international participants, bringing honor to the Schools Division of Catbalogan City and the entire DepEd Eastern Visayas Region.

This engagement underscores our commitment to fostering global research excellence and strengthening evidence-based learning in basic education.

The Schools Division Office of Catbalogan City proudly announces its qualifiers to the 2025 Eastern Visayas Basic Education Research and Innovation Forum (EVBERIF).

These research works reflect our commitment to evidence-based governance, instructional improvement, and innovation in basic education.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our researchers for bringing honor to the division and contributing to a stronger, research-driven DepEd.

The Schools Division of Catbalogan City through SGOD- Planning and Research Section extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Jayben P. Locion for being confirmed as a Distinguished Recipient of the Asia Pacific Most Outstanding Educator in Research — an honor to be awarded during the 8th Asia Pacific G**o Excellence Awards, endorsed through an Advisory No. 119, s. 2025 by DepEd Region VIII.

Your dedication to advancing educational research and your exemplary contributions to the teaching profession continue to bring pride and inspiration to the Division of Catbalogan City.

The Schools Division of Catbalogan City through SGOD- Planning and Research Section extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Janice M. Colebra for being confirmed as a Distinguished Recipient of the Asia Pacific Most Outstanding Educator in Research — an honor to be awarded during the 8th Asia Pacific G**o Excellence Awards, endorsed through an Advisory No. 119, s. 2025 by DepEd Region VIII.

Your dedication to advancing educational research and your exemplary contributions to the teaching profession continue to bring pride and inspiration to the Division of Catbalogan City.

The Schools Division of Catbalogan City through SGOD- Planning and Research Section proudly congratulates Sir Edison L. Uy, Master Teacher II of Catbalogan National Comprehensive High School and newly designated School Head of Cagusipan Elementary School, for being recognized as the DepEd Region VIII Most Outstanding Researcher as announced in DepEd Regional Memorandum No. 1427, s. 2025.

Your achievement is a testament to your unwavering commitment to evidence-based education and excellence in research. Your success continues to inspire our community of educators to pursue innovation and lifelong learning.

Committee of the Whole Meeting | Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall | October 27, 2025

Atty. Darrel C. Tibre, Senior Education Program Specialist for Planning and Research, attends the Committee of the Whole Meeting at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall, HRH Building, Catbalogan City, on behalf of Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Carmela R. Tamayo, CESO V.

The meeting brought together all department heads and partner agencies to deliberate on the Proposed 2025 Annual Investment Program (AIP) and the 2026 Executive Budget of the City of Catbalogan.

This engagement underscores DepEd’s continued commitment to participatory and evidence-based local governance—ensuring that education programs remain aligned with the city’s development priorities toward a transparent, inclusive, and accountable budgeting process.

📸 credits: Catbalogan City Administrator Page

Strengthening Peace Through Collaboration.

Atty. Darrel Tibre, Senior Education Program Specialist for Planning and Research, is representing the Schools Division Office of Catbalogan City on behalf of SDS Dr. Carmela R. Tamayo in the ongoing Formulation Workshop for the Peace and Building Agenda and the 2026–2028 Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) Plan at Summit Hotel, Tacloban City (October 21–24, 2025).

The activity gathers key stakeholders to align strategies that promote peace, good governance, and community safety across localities.

Schools’ 2026 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) Presentation and Finalization was held on October 20–21, 2025, at Eastern Visayas Regional Science High School (EVRSHS).

The activity aimed to ensure that the schools’ AIPs are aligned with the Division Education Development Plan (DEDP) and national mandates. At the same time, it sought to strengthen accountability among school leaders in the judicious use of government resources—ensuring that every peso spent contributes directly to improving learners’ proficiency levels across all learning areas.

The activity was led by Dr. Maribel R. Ruedas, Chief of the Schools Governance and Operations Division (SGOD); Atty. Darrel C. Tibre, Senior Education Program Specialist (Planning and Research); Ms. Aida Panis, Senior Education Program Specialist (Monitoring and Evaluation); and Mr. Jose Robert Lamadrid, Division Planning Officer.