The Life News Agency
August 18, 2023

The Fo Guang Shan Foundation, Inc., a non- profit organization, is one of Department of Education (DepEd) partners who persistently and continuously work hand in hand by supporting school projects through the Three Acts of Goodness (TAG) Grants.

Represented by TAG Grants Director Venerable Miao Jing, Bacolod Advisor Venerable Zhi Rong, National TAG Coordinator Imelda Tabian, TAG volunteer Jun Tabian and Dr. Helen Correa, formed a monitoring team to visit 16 TAG schools among the 118 in the 4 divisions of Negro Occidental, namely Cadiz, Escalante, Sagay, and the rice basket of San Carlos between August 6 and 12, 2023.

Presenting souvenir to Superintendent Dr. Develos (right 1st) of San Carlos. photo／The Life News Agency

Promoting vegetarianism programs of Daga Elementary School (ES) of Cadiz and Cabagtasan ES of San Carlos, as well as Sir Arthur Cooper ES, Hautea Elementary School ES and School of Sagay City Eco-zone Farm School have helped their students, teachers, administration and community to love the land, stay healthy and live well.

Hautea ES of Sagay. photo／The Life News Agency

The parents and community were so grateful for the program because aside from the food that they can get from the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” (Vegetable Garden in school), their children learned how to do good to others by helping, speaking good towards others and thinking better programs and projects that will be helpful not only to their schools but also to their community like Sir Arthur Copper ES’s “Magic Spot”, wherein the area that is use to be a dumpsite where converted into a beautiful garden with herbal and medicinal plants and leaning is possible. These planting projects are appreciated by Principal Jerson F. Donasco because his Eco-Zone Farm School held "Dagyaw Day" every Friday to invite parents to join their teenager-children in cultivating the spirit of cooperation and harmonious relationships while planting.

Eco zone Farm School of Sagay cultivating mushroom. photo／The Life News Agency

Vito National High School’s “Dark Room” of Sagay, Binaguiohan ES' "Meditation Garden" and Progresso ES' "Meditation Classroom" of Cadiz have improved mental health in emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The programs have guided their students to distress through group sharing and acceptance without boundaries. Vito NHS's Sir Rolly and his Dark Room users adopt a faraway community inside a sugar-cane farm.  They invited specialists to improve the soil and now have a growing garden. Cathy Ogahayon from Vito NHS' adopted community is thankful that Sir Rolly lives in TAG. He comes to teach and run a feeding program when our trait turns muddy in rain.

Dr. Helen Correa recognized the school officials headed by the SDS to be committed and dedicated in delivering their duties and responsibilities coupled by their open mindedness. This is evident in their performance, achievements and awards for the implementation of TAG in school management and education.

Jun Tabian Jr. is impressed with how TAG was implemented in each school showing creativity, patience, love, and care for the student development. He also observes the cooperation and unity of the faculty and school head to bring out the best in their TAG projects.

Tabian with Superintendent Bermejo of Cadiz at Progreso TAG School. photo／The Life News Agency

Venerable Miao Jing treasures the partnership and leadership in DepEd Superintendents of the four divisions, who are Bermejo of Cadiz, Ballesteros of Escalante, Sabbaluca of Sagay and Develos of San Carlos. As quoted from Venerable Master Hsing Yun's "no-self in serving shall be the heart of all educators," TAG not only establishes a human character, it also builds a kind community and a peaceful nation.

Monitoring visit to Japitan School of Escalante. photo／The Life News Agency