DACS president Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ addressing the representatives of other member institutions during the assembly. Photo by Hannah Lou Balladares
Member institutions of the Davao Association of Catholic Schools, Inc. (DACS), convened last July 15, 2016 for its 75th Regional Assembly held at the Finster Auditorium of the Ateneo de Davao University.
With the theme “Toward 2021: New Spirit, New Fervor as we turn 75,” the assembly sought to gear the association for another chapter in its history, as it is celebrating the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines’ (CEAP) 75th year of empowering Catholic education and uniting Catholic schools all over the Davao Region.
DACS president Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ further elaborated on the organization’s annual assemblies.
“[This is] when the president reports to the general assembly the financial reports, the new budget of the year is approved, [and in general] it’s an opportunity for the organization to meet and to renew friendships and cooperate and collaborate [for] Catholic education in the region,” he remarked.
When asked about what the organization hopes to achieve this year, Tabora talked about unity and education.
“We will be continuing the various programs of CEAP and DACS. Throughout the country, we’re trying to unite the schools in a shared delivery of Catholic programs of education even as we try to understand how we can help the new administration in implementing its various programs.”
In the discussion about helping the new Duterte administration, plans were also discussed for Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez’s scheduled forum in AdDU which will be held in early August.
“Each member school of DACS-CEAP is encouraged to participate [in the forum] by sending school heads and student leaders [to the event],” Christy Felizarta of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy said.
The Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS-CEAP XI) is a non-profit organization of Catholic schools throughout the Davao Region. It also serves as the regional arm of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, the umbrella organization of Catholic educational institutions in the Philippines.