When she was still the Representative of Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist, Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman had already forged meaningful partnerships with the Lasallian community—one of which was with the De La Salle Santiago Zobel (DLSZ) Social Action Office. That collaboration helped deliver boats to ferry learners to school and planted the seeds of solidarity between Lasallians and island educators.
That same spirit of collaboration has been renewed—this time through the City Government of Isabela’s joint effort with DLSZ and the Department of Education SDO-Isabela City to strengthen teaching and learning among Indigenous Peoples in Malamawi Island.
From October 6 to 11, a team of Lasallian educators arrived on the island with lesson plans, low-cost teaching aids, and a clear purpose: to support the teachers of the Badjao Floating Integrated School (BFIS) through the “DLSZ x BFIS: Angat Guro” Program.
Organized by DLSZ’s Social Action Office under Head Benjamin Sazon, in collaboration with BFIS and the Department of Education–Isabela City Division, the program focused on improving classroom practices and developing a sustainable roadmap for teacher growth and learning continuity.
The first day of Angat Guro opened with enthusiasm as teachers from the Malamawi Cluster Island Schools gathered for workshops filled with energy, creativity, and heart. The moment became even more memorable with a surprise visit from Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman on October 9, who expressed her gratitude for the Lasallian community’s continuing support for inclusive education.
“Education is the strongest bridge toward dignity and empowerment,” Mayor Hataman said. “We are grateful for our Lasallian partners who have stood with us from the beginning—when I was still in Congress—and continue to believe in our shared dream of inclusive, quality education for all.”
At the heart of Angat Guro were hands-on workshops that taught creative teaching methods using readily available materials. Teachers developed sample lesson plans for reading and comprehension for early grades and practiced numeracy activities that can be implemented without gadgets or internet access.
The initiative culminated in a partners’ planning session to co-create a three-year development plan for BFIS—addressing literacy, numeracy, teacher capacity-building, and basic infrastructure needs.
Beyond classroom training, DLSZ students also raised funds through a school-based drive to purchase a new water tank for BFIS, turned over through the AMIN Foundation. The week concluded with community immersion and a virtual meet-and-greet connecting DLSZ and BFIS learners—bridging city and island classrooms through shared stories and dreams.
Together, DLSZ and the City Government of Isabela reaffirm their commitment to make education inclusive, empowering, and rooted in compassion—proving that every learner, no matter how far their classroom floats, deserves the chance to rise and succeed. (Contributed Report)
