NAGA CITY --- Public school teachers here will surely be missing ideas and inputs that should come from an important strategic training and planning activity by the Department of Education on October 22-26 in Cloud 9, Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City.

        This, after the 5-man delegation sent by Schools Division Superintendent Evangeline Palencia were not allowed to participate in the training-conference on Division Education-Development Plan (DEDP) as it was not reportedly ready with the pre-planning data requirements.

        An insider in the Division Office here said it was Project Manager Dr. Nemia M. Manlapaz of National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) herself who disapproved the participation of the delegation which placed the entire division in an embarrassing situation.

        In an interview with Palencia, it came out that the reason why it appeared there was problem in the admission of the Naga City delegation to the training because of certain technical requirements that had been simply overlooked.

        She said the delegation is right now actively participating in the training-conference.

        Another unhappy incident allegedly encountered by the division’s delegation took place when one of the members, a certain Ma. Sheila Lagoda, an elementary school pupil was disapproved by DepEd Regional Director Celedonio Layon because the delegation requires a Schools Division Superintendent/Asst. Schools Division Supt., and one representative each from Elementary, Secondary and Alternative Learning System (ALS).

        Palencia explained that Lagoda had decided not to join the delegation because of earlier commitment which came even before Layon had crossed out her name from the roster of delegates.

        She said Lagoda and De los Martirez’s names as delegation members floated after Naga City Science HS principal Sulpicio Alferez and Naga Central School I principal Dr. Irma Dycok declined to join the group also because of previous commitment.

        Sources said Palencia also erred in designating either De los Martirez or Lagoda since the two were unprepared as they did not participate in the pre-planning phase of the training conference.

        Palencia clarified that she was not the one who personally chose De los Martirez and Lagoda but said the two female school principals were effective and active leaders of the division capable to handle similar activities for the division.

        The same sources also expressed apprehension over the inability of the team to impart and share ideas and new technologies discussed in the assembly as Palencia reportedly has been playing favorites in sending school principals to trainings.

        Palencia also clarified that the issue regarding her alleged playing favorites is merely a matter of professional jealousy and does not have any basis at all.