Summit theme: “Carpe Diem – Seize the day and Live your dream”
For more than 200 delegates from the Province of Iloilo, the call was more than a theme but a marching order as they filled the halls of the Philippine International Convention Center for the 2026 W. SyCip National Education Summit.
Iloilo’s delegation composed of municipal mayors and vice mayors, local legislators, LGU personnel, and DepEd officials and teachers accounted for over 20 percent of participants from across the country, reflecting the province’s full-scale support for education reform.
EDUCATION CHAMPIONS
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, a former Valenzuela City mayor, traced how education outcomes improved in Valenzuela through decisive and inclusive leadership.
Gatchalian identified three principles that helped mobilize stakeholders: admitting leaders do not know everything, listening to the community, and inspiring people to see themselves as part of the solution.
Building on these steps, he stressed that reforms must endure beyond personalities and political terms.
“We have to make things sustainable. We have to make sure that the programs outlive us by finding champions or agents of change,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto reminded participants that meaningful education outcomes are often the result of consistent, well-considered decisions at every level of governance.
Addressing the audience, Sotto emphasized the need to pay attention to the “little things” that collectively drive positive change.
“Ano man ang position natin, ano man ang influence natin, ano man ang kapasidad natin, let us continue to make good decisions. Pag pinagsama-sama natin lahat ng effort natin, we will pave the way for a better Philippines not just for ourselves but more importantly for the next generation of Filipinos,” said Sotto.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara also graced the activity and engaged directly with participants. Angara listened to concerns raised by local officials and educators which included resource gaps and classroom shortages to teacher welfare and curriculum delivery
NOT JUST PARTICIPANTS
Iloilo officials were among those who actively contributed to the dialogue.
Sara Mayor Jon Aying and Iloilo 3rd District Board Member Jason Gonzales served as panelists during Day 1 discussions, sharing the province’s experience in aligning local ordinances, education funds, and school improvement plans.
Their participation reflects Iloilo’s continuing reforms under the Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (BES Probins) program, which focuses on literacy intervention, classroom construction, and holistic learner development.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. is set to present on Day 2 (February 19) the promise of devolution in basic education, drawing from Iloilo’s experience in empowering municipalities to take a more active role in school governance and funding support.
Organized by the Synergeia Foundation, the summit has, for over a decade, served as a platform for education reform stakeholders and partners to exchange tested strategies on improving literacy, strengthening local school boards, and aligning local budgets with education priorities.
Named after the late business leader Washington SyCip, the annual event underscores the critical role of local governments in raising learning outcomes.
Catch the live streaming of the summit’s second day at @Synergeia Foundation, Inc. Facebook Page.
📷 Dr. Raul Banias
#morprogresiloilo