𝗕𝗶𝗣𝗦𝗨 & 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗘𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗰 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲

by Lorenzo Dela Cruz

Naval Biliran-The Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) and the Department of Education (DepEd) Ormoc City solidified their commitment to transforming educational leadership through the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 31, 2025. This milestone marks the official launch of Project EXCELLED – School Leaders Institute (SLI), a pioneering initiative aimed at strengthening the capabilities of current and aspiring school leaders in Ormoc City.

In his message , BiPSU President Prof. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr., EdD, CHRP, expressed profound gratitude to DepEd Ormoc City, particularly Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Carmelino P. Bernadas, Assistant Superintendent Mrs. Lorelei C. Masias, and focal persons Dr. Ana Liezel C. Villaver and Dr. Abel S. Dayandayan. He also commended Dr. Ana C. Calles, Dean of BiPSU’s School of Graduate Studies, and Dr. Artemia L. Leoberas, Chief Education Supervisor, for their instrumental roles in shaping the program.

“It is a privilege to stand with you in this important milestone,” Prof. Cañezo said, praising the dedication of school heads and aspiring leaders to Project EXCELLED, which he described as a testament to their commitment to public service and every learner in their care.

Project EXCELLED is more than a leadership program—it is a strategic response to the evolving demands of basic education leadership. As Prof. Cañezo emphasized, today’s school heads must go beyond administrative competence, leading instructional reforms, managing diverse teams, adapting to change with agility, and fostering connections with local governments, civil society, and higher education institutions. BiPSU, through its academic expertise and research-driven training, commits to cultivating visionary, values-driven school leaders equipped to transform their communities.

“We will begin by listening,” Prof. Cañezo affirmed, promising interventions grounded in data from DepEd Ormoc’s context, with faculty serving as co-learners and co-implementers alongside DepEd educators.

Prof. Cañezo and Dr. Calles underscored BiPSU’s ongoing dedication to regional educational advancement, aligning the initiative with the university’s mission to deliver quality instruction, research, and extension services. The partnership holds deep personal significance for Prof. Cañezo, who noted that BiPSU’s future depends on the readiness of students from DepEd schools. “Strengthening leadership in those schools means strengthening the very foundation of the education ecosystem we all belong to,” he said, emphasizing that this collaboration is an investment in the communities that entrust their children’s education to these institutions.

BiPSU recognizes the critical role that school leadership plays in educational transformation and is honored to support DepEd Ormoc City in advancing this shared vision of excellence and innovation in basic education. Under the MOU, BiPSU will conduct needs assessments, provide expertise, resources, and academic guidance to support the SLI program’s curriculum design and delivery, collaborate on organizing training sessions, workshops, and professional development activities, and engage in collaborative research, assessment, and evaluation related to educational leadership. DepEd Ormoc City will lead overall coordination, management, and implementation of the School Leaders Institute, facilitate active participation of existing and aspiring school leaders, provide logistical support for the implementation of practical experiences, mentorship programs, and community engagement activities, and coordinate with local government units, LGUs, teacher education institutions, and other partners to secure funding, training resources, and accreditation pathways.

Both parties have agreed to conduct joint training and workshops on leadership competencies, instructional expertise, strategic planning, and change management, collaborate on community engagement projects designed to address specific local education-related issues, share best practices, innovative approaches, and research findings to enhance school leadership effectiveness, and regularly evaluate program effectiveness through participant feedback, leadership practice assessments, and capstone project evaluations. The initial duration of the MOU shall be three years, corresponding with the implementation cycle of the SLI, subject to annual performance reviews and evaluations.

“Let this MOU be more than a formality,” Prof. Cañezo urged. “Let it be a reminder that when we invest in school leadership, we invest in the long-term success of education in Eastern Visayas and beyond.”

The ceremony, attended by school heads, faculty, and education stakeholders, highlighted a collective resolve to empower school leaders and ensure that every learner benefits from innovative, capable leadership. As Project EXCELLED takes root, it promises to grow in depth, reach, and impact, paving the way for a brighter future for basic education in the region.