Photo coming soon
Lokai
Hotel for DepEd delegates.
Mabuhay, One Education!
JETMC4 brings together the trifocal agencies, DepEd, TESDA and CHED, together with the Teacher Education Council, to check progress on shared reforms and launch new programs for Philippine education.
What we'll do
- Strengthen coordination among the Trifocal Regional Director Councils
- Reconvene the Permanent Working Groups before their year-end reports
- Hear updates on ladderized teacher pathways, WFD pilot clusters, Project TAHANAN and One Education communications
What we'll launch
ILEEP
Integrated Ladderized Education-to-Employment Pathways
LAPIT Index
Localized Access, Pathways, and Institutional Transitions Index
Who's attending
- The Trifocal Secretaries
- All Chairs of the Permanent Working Groups
- All Regional Directors
- Representatives for agenda items approved by the SEWDG
- Senior officials and support staff of the above
What is Pista sa Nayon?
In every Filipino barrio, the town fiesta is the one day when everyone comes home. Banderitas are strung across the streets, banig mats are rolled out, every house opens its doors, and neighbors share whatever is on the table. There are palaro for kids and titas alike, a stage for anyone brave enough to sing, and a sayawan that runs late into the night.
That's the spirit we're bringing to JETMC4. DepEd, TESDA and CHED are neighbors in one nayon, the One Education family. After a full afternoon of work, Fellowship Night is our fiesta: a time to meet the people behind the reforms, laugh together, and celebrate how far the trifocal partnership has come.
What to expect on Fellowship Night
Salu-saloDinner together, fiesta-style
Talent showAgencies and regions take the stage
PalaroClassic fiesta games and friendly rivalry
Pabitin of tokensToken distribution for everyone
SayawanThe fiesta party that closes the night
Dress for the fiesta: anything colorful! See the Dress code tab.
Program flow
The program is still in draft and may change. All sessions are at the Negros Oriental Convention Center.
Arrival and check-in
Check in at your respective hotels and settle in.
Opening remarks
DDG Galo Glino, TESDAContext setting and overview of the JETMC4 agenda
Asec. Delfin Villafuerte, DepEd-EWDG-
Group 1
Trifocal Regional Director Council break-outs
Regional-level "Quality and Access" analysis. All Regional Directors are requested to join.
Asec. Delfin Villafuerte and Dir. Kier Jesse Ballar, EWDGGroup 2Permanent Working Group break-outs
Optional time for PWGs to convene before the Day 2 plenary.
Respective PWG Chairs Welcome ceremonies
TESDA NIR (Host Region)Fellowship Night: Pista sa Nayon
- 6:00 PM · Registration opens
- 6:30 PM · Welcoming remarks and dinner
- 7:30 PM · Talent show and games
- 9:30 PM · Token distribution
- 10:00 PM · Fiesta party
TESDA NIR (Host Region)
Plenary Trifocal ManComm Session
Chaired by Sec. Kiko Benitez, TESDA. Full agenda below.Group photo
Lunch
Side workshops
For select participants only. You'll receive a separate Notice of Meeting if you're included.
End of official program
Optional activities begin.
TESDA NIR (Host Region)
Plenary session agenda
Preliminaries and introductions
Sec. Kiko Benitez (Chair), TESDA
Trifocal Reform Framework / Agenda Anchor
Asec. Delfin Villafuerte, EWDG
Foundational Education Reforms
- ECCD Workforce Analysis
- Updates from PWG 1: ECCD
- Inclusive Education Workforce Analysis
- Updates from PWG 3: Inclusive Education
- Unified General Education Curricula Reforms
Asec. Delfin Villafuerte, EWDG · PWG 1: Asec. Janir Datukan and Dir. Veron Requejo, DepEd · PWG 3: Asec. Jerome Buenviaje, DepEd
Workforce Development Reforms
- Updates on Ladderized Pathway Reforms
- Video launch of ILEEP
- Updates from PWG 2: Career Pathways and Guidance
- TESDA presentation on Career Advising Modules
- Updates from PWG 5: Industry Engagement (formerly WIP and EBET)
Asec. Delfin Villafuerte, EWDG · PWG 2: Usec. Fita Aldaba, DepEd · PWG 5: DDG Galo Glino III, TESDA
Teacher Education Council Updates
- Updates from PWG 7: Teacher Education, Professionalization, and Training
ED Jennie Jocson, TEC
Research and Data Harmonization Updates
- One Education Budget Analysis
- Launch of the LAPIT Index
- Updates from PWG 6: Tertiary Education Scholarships
Asec. Delfin Villafuerte, EWDG · PWG 6: ED Cinderella Benitez-Jaro, CHED
Trifocal Regional Director Council Initiatives
- Updates on Regional Data Packs and collaborations moving forward
Asec. Delfin Villafuerte, EWDG
Other One Education / EWDG organizational matters
- One Education Communications updates
- Education Reform Fellowship updates
- Policy and legal process updates
Asec. Delfin Villafuerte, EWDG
Other matters and next steps
Where we stay
Each agency has its own hotel. Your Execom/Mancom Secretariat handles your booking, so just check in at your agency's hotel when you arrive on October 8.
Photo coming soon
Bravo Hotel
Hotel for TESDA delegates.
To be announced
CHED's hotel is still being finalized. Your CHED Secretariat will share the details soon.
Places to visit
Got free time after the program? Here are spots near the venue, from a short walk along the bay to a full-day island trip.
Distances are approximate road distances from the convention center. Travel times vary with traffic and boat schedules, so confirm with your hotel or a local guide before heading out.
The City of Gentle People
Dumaguete is the capital of Negros Oriental, a laid-back university town facing the Bohol Sea. It's walkable, friendly and famous for its seaside boulevard, its sweets and some of the best diving in the country.
University town
Home of Silliman University
Founded in 1901, Silliman is one of the oldest American-founded universities in Asia. Its leafy campus sits right in the city and gives Dumaguete its young, bookish energy.
By the bay
Rizal Boulevard
The city's seaside promenade, lined with old-style lamps and acacia trees. Locals jog here at dawn and gather for street food at night.
Under the sea
A diving capital
Apo Island and the Dauin coast have marine sanctuaries with sea turtles, coral gardens and muck diving that draw divers from around the world.
Gateway
Easy hop to Siquijor
Ferries run to the "mystic island" of Siquijor, and fast craft connect to Cebu and Bohol, so it's a good base for an extra day.
What to eat
Silvanas
Frozen cashew-meringue cookies with buttercream. The pasalubong everyone expects you to bring home.
Sans rival
Layers of chewy meringue, butter and cashews. Dumaguete is known for making it well.
Budbud kabog
Millet rice cake wrapped in banana leaves, best with hot chocolate (tsokolate) for breakfast.
Painit
A local ritual of hot drinks and native kakanin at a merienda stall. "Painit" means to warm up.
Chicken inato
Visayan-style grilled chicken, marinated and basted, eaten with rice and a dip of soy, calamansi and chili.
Tempura sa boulevard
Fish-ball and squid-ball carts along the boulevard at night, with sweet and spicy sauces.
Dress code
Dumaguete in October is warm and humid, with a chance of afternoon rain. Choose light, breathable fabrics and keep an umbrella handy.
Day 1 · Afternoon
Wear your agency color
Show up in your agency's color for the kick-off and break-out sessions.
DepEd · Red
TESDA · Blue
CHED · Yellow
Day 1 · Fellowship Night
Anything goes, basta colorful!
It's a fiesta, so wear the brightest thing you packed. Prints, florals, neon, all of it. The more color, the better.
Day 2 · Plenary
One Education shirt
Wear the One Education shirt you received at JETMC3 in Baler. Don't forget to pack it, since it's also what we'll wear for the group photo.
Who to talk to
Questions about the program, attendance or anything on the ground? Reach out and we'll help.
Ms. Rae Magcalas
Secretariat for the Education and Workforce Development Group (SEWDG), DepEd
Email ewdg.oed@deped.gov.ph Call +63 931 1297 023Agency-specific questions
For travel, hotels, attendance and other agency concerns, please coordinate with your agency's Secretariat first. For everything else, reach out to Ms. Rae Magcalas above.
Fellowship Night and local concerns
TESDA NIR (Host Region)
Organizers of the welcome ceremonies, Fellowship Night and the optional activities on Day 2.
Emergencies
Dial 911
The national emergency hotline works in Dumaguete for police, fire and medical emergencies. Let the Secretariat know right after.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what people usually ask before the event.
When should I arrive in Dumaguete?
Plan to arrive on October 8 and check in before the 3:00 PM kick-off. Everyone is expected to be in by 5:00 PM at the latest, in time for the welcome ceremonies.
When can I go home?
Return travel to Metro Manila and other duty stations is on Saturday, October 10. If you have other business, you may leave after the official program on Day 2, subject to the final agenda.
Do the Trifocal Secretaries need to attend both days?
The Secretaries are requested to be present for the whole of Day 2, from 9:00 AM onwards.
Which hotel am I staying in?
DepEd delegates stay at Lokai and TESDA delegates at Bravo Hotel. CHED's hotel is still being finalized. See the "Where we stay" tab for updates.
What should I wear?
Day 1 afternoon: your agency color (DepEd red, TESDA blue, CHED yellow). Fellowship Night: anything colorful. Day 2: your One Education shirt from JETMC3.
Who pays for my flights and hotel?
Your agency's Execom/Mancom Secretariat facilitates and covers transportation and accommodation.
Can I bring additional staff?
Additional attendees should be limited to people whose expertise or mandate directly matches an agenda item. Coordinate with your Execom/Mancom Secretariat, who will clear it with the SEWDG.
What are the deadlines before the event?
Comments on the draft agenda and the final list of attendees are both due on September 30, 2026, submitted through your agency's Execom/Mancom.
Am I part of the side workshops on Day 2?
Side workshops are for select participants only. If you're included, you'll receive a separate Notice of Meeting.
What is Pista sa Nayon?
It's the theme of Fellowship Night: a village-fiesta celebration with dinner, a talent show, games, tokens and a fiesta party. Wear something festive and Filipino.
What's the weather like in October?
Expect warm, humid days around 25–31°C with possible afternoon showers. Bring an umbrella, sunscreen and light clothing.
How do I get around the city?
Tricycles are the most common way to get around Dumaguete and are cheap for short trips. For out-of-town spots, hire a van or car through your hotel.