Cagayan de Oro City — DepEd Region X honored emerging school leaders through the Recognition and Induction Ceremony of Project: CELLS Completers (NQESH Passers) at Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, on October 31, 2025.
Organized by the Human Resource Development Division (HRDD) and the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP-RX), the event brought together NQESH passers, Project: CELLS completers, education leaders in the region, Project: CELLS resource speakers, class advisers, and its program management team in a celebration of leadership and achievement.
It highlighted the success of completers under Project: CELLS (Course on Executive Learning and Leadership in Schools)—a homegrown professional development initiative designed to strengthen school leadership in Northern Mindanao.
Launched in March 2024, Project: CELLS was developed in response to DepEd Order No. 024, s. 2020, which institutionalizes the Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads (PPSSH) nationwide.
Ms. Rebecca P. Postrano, regional education program supervisor and officer-in-charge, Office of the Chief of the Human Resource Development Division (HRDD), welcomed the participants by sharing the story of how Project: CELLS was conceived and developed—transforming from a simple concept into a dynamic platform that fosters leadership excellence and professional growth among aspiring school heads.
Photo by: Merlinda Ilago (Facebook)
Also present was Regional Director Dr. Arturo B. Bayocot, CESO III, who, in his inspirational message, emphasized that genuine leadership must be grounded in service and shared purpose.
“Leadership is not just about visibility—it is about service and purpose,” he added, inspiring the completers to embody values-driven and collaborative leadership as they take on their future roles.
The Project: CELLS completers, who are also NQESH passers, were each conferred the sablay—a symbolic representation of leadership by the Regional Director, assisted by the Schools Division Superintendents (SDSs), signifying their readiness to take on the responsibilities of educational leadership within their respective divisions. Following this, they were formally inducted into office as newly appointed school leaders.
The ceremony also honored the Project: CELLS learning facilitators, whose expertise and mentorship played a vital role in guiding and ensuring the success of the completers.
Moreover, the ceremony featured insightful talks on leadership and career advancement.
Representing key DepEd Central Office officials, SDS Shambaeh Usman, in lieu of Undersecretary Wilfredo E. Cabral, discussed “Sustaining Professional Growth Through Career Progression.”
ASDS Mary An M. Allera, on behalf of Assistant Secretary Aurelio Paulo Bartolome, delivered a message on “Embracing the Challenge of Principalship.”
Meanwhile, Director Michael Joseph Cabauatan, Director III of NEAP, representing Assistant Secretary Dr. Carmela C. Oracion, officer-in-charge, Office of the Undersecretary for Learning Systems, shared insights on “Leading Safe and Sustainable Schools.”
Gerlie Rose C. Magdato, Region X’s Top 1 NQESH 2023 passer from Tugaya Integrated School, Division of Valencia City, shared how Project: CELLS strengthened her confidence and competence to lead effectively.
The program’s impact was further reflected in the Pledge of Commitment led by Somair M. Odin, Principal I of Sultan Naga Dimaporo Memorial Integrated School, which underscored the collective resolve of the new leaders to uphold integrity, collaboration, and excellence in advancing the quality of basic education.
Through Project: CELLS, DepEd Northern Mindanao continues to cultivate empowered and purpose-driven education leaders—building individual competencies and a shared vision of sustained growth and collective success for schools across the region. | Public Affairs Unit (PAU)
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