The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) jointly held the GASTPE Regional Orientation Conference on the implementation of the Education Service Contracting (ESC), Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS), and Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program for School Year 2025–2026. The event took place on August 20, 2025, at the People’s Center and Library, Real Street, Tacloban City, with participants including Mrs. Blanchie G. Torcino and Miss Jodelyn Jumadas, who represented the Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception (FCIC).
The orientation highlighted program updates and guidelines to ensure private schools’ effective and transparent implementation of the government’s financial assistance initiatives for junior and senior high school students. Sessions included clarifications on compliance requirements, fund management, reporting protocols, and the reinforcement of accountability mechanisms.
“Being part of this conference deepened our understanding of the program guidelines, which is vital in making sure our students continue to benefit from these subsidies,” said Mrs. Torcino. “It also reaffirmed our role as partners of DepEd and PEAC in expanding access to quality education.”
Miss Jumadas likewise emphasized the importance of the orientation for private institutions: “The ESC, TSS, and SHS Voucher Program remain a lifeline for many families. This conference helped us align our processes with national standards to better serve our learners and their parents.”
The impact on FCIC is expected to be direct and meaningful. With the learnings gained, the school will ensure stricter compliance with program requirements, strengthen communication with parents about subsidy opportunities, and provide clearer guidance to students who are beneficiaries of the ESC and SHS Voucher Program. The orientation also paved the way for smoother coordination between school administrators and DepEd-PEAC to avoid delays in grant processing.
As the conference concluded, FCIC’s representatives expressed their commitment to cascade the updates to the faculty and staff, ensuring proper program implementation for the benefit of students and their families. The orientation not only reinforced the school’s operational readiness but also affirmed its Franciscan vision to provide accessible, transformative Franciscan education for all.
By Blanchie G. Torcino
