THE DEPARTMENT of Education congratulated the newly elected officers of the National Federation of Supreme Student Government.

“Nakakatuwa that these young people were chosen by learners to lead all the supreme student government in the Philippines. Kita mo rin sa kanila that they are willing to step up and take charge. Sabi nga nila, [habang] bata pa ang ating mga learners, kailangan natin silang turuan [ng] citizenship and service to the country in a very real sense. We have to move towards being universalistic; to think of the people we serve,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

The new set of officers for FY 2021 are Ken Bien Mar Caballes of CARAGA Region as president, French Bayer Bandong of Region XII as vice president, Ser Nicholas Valmonte of Region III as secretary, Gerilou Beatrine Bariuan of Region II as treasurer,  Ponciano Apa Jr. of Region XI as auditor, Jan Loyd Abellano of Region VI as peace officer and Jerson Cabunilas of Region VII as public information officer.

The following regional SSG presidents were elected as board members: Bienesto Fidel Junio (Region I), Earl Vincent Hiwatig (Region IV-A), Emmanuel Rodel (Region IV-B), Rixdon Niño Mape (Region V), Kenneth Anthony Manatad (Region VIII), Princess May Calasang (Region IX), Queenie Joy Cabatingan (Region X), Kurt James Quiambao (NCR), Angela Nicole Tibay (CAR), and Nicole Masay (BARMM).

The election was organized by the Bureau of Learners Support Services-Youth Formation Division.

All 17 regional SSG presidents and other student leaders, SSG teacher-advisers and regional and division youth formation coordinators nationwide attended the election via Zoom and Facebook live platforms.

BLSS-YFD Chief Adolf Aguilar highlighted in his message that many student leaders have been waiting for the election since the last one was held almost a decade ago.

“I am with awe that this election is a reality now. This is truly the so-called renaissance of our SSG. As the newly elected officers of the NF-SSG, I challenge you to become role models to the youth. Be paragons who have puso, galing at talino in doing your responsibilities as future leaders of our country,” Aguilar said.

The new NFSSG president said that they are ready to roll out projects that would improve the education sector.

“It has been nine years since the last set of officers in the NFSSG was established, so it is up to us once again to ignite the fire within the youth. We are expected to provide an impression that we are finally back after being dormant in the recent years. However, I also feel so honored to have the opportunity to implement projects that would improve the education sector of our country,” Caballes said.

“As of now, we are still on the brainstorming process. However, things like inclusive education, mental health awareness projects are the common advocacies of each of the regional presidents. We are hoping to conduct and implement projects [as] regards to the mentioned ideas in this school year despite the limited contact. [Also], we are hoping to conduct activities in line with the core values of Department of Education,” he added.