Lingayen- – –“Ngayon ang umpisa ng magandang buhay (Today is the start of a better life).”

This was stated by Gov. Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III in his speech during the Alternative Learning System (ALS) graduation ceremony held on July 26 at the Sison Auditorium as he stressed that acceptance of failure must have been the reason why the ALS graduates decided to give education another try.

Stating the importance of education, the Governor urged the ALS graduates to keep reaching for their goals as he advised them never to commit the same mistake twice.

He noted that while most of them married young and some opted to help their parents by delaying education and chose to work early to help provide for their family, education, he said is still one of the biggest factors toward success.

The 732 graduates passed the 2015 accreditation and equivalency test from a total of 1,050 takers which was held last April.

Based from the records of the Schools Division Office I, there were 484 ALS test passers in 2013 and 714 in 2014.

ALS is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction. It includes both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills.

In addition, the system is an alternate or substitute to those who do not have access to formal education in schools to include the inmates in the BJMP.

Gov. Pogi assured the full support of the provincial government in all programs and projects that are intended to improve the lives of Pangasinense youth especially on education.

The graduation rites was attended by Dr. Alma Ruby C. Torio, Department of Education Regional Director; Dr. Carmina Gutierrez, Chief of Curriculum Implementation Division; Dr. Teodora V. Nabor, OIC- Asst. Schools Division Superintendent; Marilu N. Cardenas, Asst. Schools Division Superintendent; and Dr. Angeline S. Casipit, Chief, School Governance and Operations Division. (Ruby R. Bernardino)