ERMITA, Manila — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Thursday praised the 5,196 graduates here for achieving their dream of finishing basic education through the city's Alternative Learning System (ALS) program.

In her speech during the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of City Schools-Manila Alternative Learning System graduation at the San Andres Sports Complex, Duterte underscored the exceptional circumstances that the ALS graduates had to face, and to continue building the road towards achieving their dreams.

“Have the courage to pursue your dreams, even if they seem hard, unconventional, or impossible. Never let go of your dreams,” Duterte said.

“Habang bumabyahe kayo sa buhay, lagi niyong tatandaan – walang makakatalo sa kagustuhan ninyo, sa puso ninyo na magtagumpay sa buhay,” she added.

DepEd Manila successfully completed its implementation of the ALS program, with the largest number of passers in the Accreditation and Equivalency Test and Presentation Portfolio Assessment soaring to 1,024 Elementary passers and 4,172 Junior High School completers.

Gloria Mendoza, 61 and the oldest Junior High School ALS passer in attendance, said age is not a hindrance in pursuing education.

“Hindi tinitingnan sa edad o tanda ang pag-aaral, ang importante ay nakapagtapos ka. Kapag may pinag-aralan ka, kahit saan ka man pupunta, marami kang magagawa,” Mendoza said.

“Kapag kulang sa edukasyon, mahirap eh. Kaya ang payo ko, kahit na may edad kayo, mag aral kayo. Karangalan din natin ‘yan kahit may edad ka na,” she added.

Mendoza thanked the city government and the DepEd for providing opportunities for out-of-school youth and adult (OSYA) learners to develop basic and functional literacy skills, and to access equivalent pathways to complete basic education.

“Nakakatulong yung binigay ng gobyerno lalo na para sa ibang mahihirap na kagaya ko na hindi nakapagtapos at nakapag-aral. Ngayon hindi na ako nahihiya, kaya sobrang laking tulong ng ALS program,” Mendoza said.

Under the current ALS program, students undergo modular education, assessment, face-to-face classes, and skills training to pursue their studies.

OVP MEDIA