By Maria Aprila Cruz CORDILLERA, Philippines (PIA) — For 38 years, the Department of Education-Cordillera Administrative Region (DepEd‑CAR) has served not just as an institution delivering quality education; it has become a home where generations of employees remain connected, guided by shared history, values, and vision. This was the core message of former Regional Director Dr. Ellen B. Donato, who served as Guest of Honor during the agency’s 38th Founding Anniversary celebration on April 30, 2026, with the theme, “DepEd‑CAR @ 38: Bridging the Future.” Speaking before officials, employees, retirees, and guests, Dr. Donato expressed deep gratitude for the tradition of inviting former employees back home every year, a practice she said keeps the spirit of the department alive across time and generations. “Calling us home every anniversary signifies a continuing relationship. This tradition makes DepEd‑CAR truly a home. A home for you to keep, for us retirees to keep coming back to, and for future employees to feel welcomed into,” she emphasized. She noted the changing face of the workforce, observing that around 50 percent of current employees are millennials, a stark contrast to the early years when the regional office was initially composed of senior personnel drawn from Regions 1 and 2 due to the lack of an approved staffing pattern. Yet despite differences in age, skills, and familiarity with modern technology like Artificial Intelligence, everyone remains united in purpose. “Whether we are adept at advanced technology or accustomed to traditional ways of working, we are all together in spirit as we pursue the department’s programs for the children of the region,” she said. From humble beginnings to enduring legacy Dr. Donato took the audience down memory lane, recalling the challenges and triumphs that shaped DepEd‑CAR. She paid tribute to the pioneering leaders, particularly the first Regional Director, Mr. Pedro Indunan, who is now 101 years old and still in good health, and the late Director Stephen N. Capuyan, who worked tirelessly to secure the regional office’s permanent site in Wangal, La Tinidad, from the Provincial Government of Benguet. She recounted how the office once operated at the Teachers’ Camp, facing uncertainty when its lease was not renewed and receiving little support from the central office at the time. Through determination and strong partnerships, the region was able to establish its own home—a testament to the resilience that defines the Cordilleran spirit, further proven when the region recovered strongly after the devastating 1990 earthquake. “We owe it to our pioneers. They did not just build an office; they built a future for all of us. Their foresight and hard work gave us the home we enjoy today,” Dr. Donato said. She also honored the 14 regional directors (five of them have already passed on) who led the region through the years. She commended them for their contributions in improving services, systems, and facilities. Rooted in culture and values As the region welcomes its 15th Regional Director, Dr. Nicholas Capulong, Dr. Donato urged everyone to accord him full support and cooperation, citing the warm reception traditionally given to leaders assigned to the region. She emphasized that the true strength of DepEd‑CAR lies in its people and the cultural values that bind them, specifically “Inayan”, an unwritten moral code that guides conduct, promotes honesty, respect, humility, and community harmony, and serves as a reminder against wrongdoing. She also highlighted the value of “Binnadang” or mutual cooperation as essential in achieving collective goals. Donato noted that these indigenous values align with both spiritual teachings and the Civil Service Code of Ethics. “DepEd‑CAR is expected to be at the forefront in preserving, nurturing, and creating a ripple effect of our unique Cordilleran identity as generations unfold,” she stressed. Respect, health, and belongingness Addressing the rank‑and‑file employees, Dr. Donato gave heartfelt advice to perform their duties with excellence, but never at the expense of their health and well‑being. She urged everyone to take annual medical check‑ups seriously and care for one another in the workplace. She also shared the concept of the “Law of the Two Feet,” explaining that employees have the freedom to transfer or move elsewhere if they feel they are no longer valued or effective. However, she noted that the strong sense of belongingness in DepEd‑CAR often makes people choose to stay and contribute for as long as they are needed. “Everyone is important in the organization regardless of position, age, or origin. Remember: bosses come and go, but you remain as the workforce. Respect each other, cooperate with whoever leads us, and keep the spirit of unity alive,” she said. In closing, Dr. Donato remembered with fondness and prayer the former officials and employees who have passed on, describing them as the “missing link” that remains cherished in the hearts of the DepEd‑CAR family. She called the retirees the “alumni” of the department, forever grateful that they are always welcomed back home. “Once a part of DepEd‑CAR, you always belong. Thank you for beckoning us home. This is home, and we are home,” she concluded. (JDP/MAWC-PIA-CAR)
