Valenzuela City Mayor WES Gatchalian led the distribution of the ALS kit which includes a bag, notebooks, pencils, ballpens, sharpener and pad papers, to about 1,200 Valenzuelano Alternative Learning System (ALS) junior high school learners from the two districts, held at Alert Multi-purpose hall, October 11.

Proving once again that Valenzuela City is committed to its adage, “No One is Left Behind” in education, the local government seeks for solutions that will convince the out-of-school youth and adults (OSYA) to go back to school by alleviating their burden in studying and providing them with educational assistance. This partake the existing “Education 360 Degrees” investment program in the city, as it promotes full inclusivity in providing good quality education for all.

Recognized and grabbed various awards as an "Education City", the City of Valenzuela continues in its desire to meet the educational needs of its citizens. Through ALS, the Local Government of Valenzuela City aims to give OSYA another chance so that they can continue their studies despite their difficult situation.

Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a parallel learning system that serves as the practical option for the people who are not able to access formal education in the academe. In Valenzuela City, it plays a vital role as it became the main instrument for the school-deprived individuals and out-of-school youth and adults, to access the opportunities for self-development and employment.

According to Division of City Schools - Valenzuela, ALS Enrollees for this academic year has reached to an overwhelming 2,100 students despite of the pandemic. Mayor WES commended the students for their decision on pursuing education and redirect the trajectory of their fates even after experiencing ill-fated lives.

Mayor WES, in his message during the ALS kit distribution stated, “Ito po ang pangalawang pagkakataon na maging maayos ang [inyong] buhay. Balang araw po, itong desisyon ninyo ay hindi-hindi niyo pagsisihan. Makakatiyak ako na kapag kayo ay magkatrabaho na sa future, makikita niyo po na itong sakripisyo ninyo sa pagpasok sa ALS program ay makakatulong sa inyong buhay.” [This is the second chance to fix your lives. One day, you will not regret this decision. I can assure you that when you work together in the future, you will see that your sacrifice in joining the ALS program will help you in your lives.]

In 2016, the Project TokBuk (Katok para sa Magandang Bukas) was launched under the administration of then Mayor REX Gatchalian, in pursuance of the Memorandum Circular No. 2013 – 18 entitled “Implementation of the Barangay Targetting System for Out-Of-School Youth (OSY).” With this program, the Local Government of Valenzuela City is committed for intensive efforts in pursuit of the target learners or OSYA.

Former Councilor and ALS action officer Charee Pineda, Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, Cuncilor Rovin Feliciano and the rest of the ALS educators, were the first people to start the movement. They flocked from one street to another as they personally knocked the doors of the OSYA that were itemized by their respective Barangays. This somehow resembles the “Oplan Tokhang” of the national government where authorities are knocking the doors of their drug suspects and arrest them eventually once proven involved to illegal drugs. Contrary to this program, the Project TokBuk team knock at the door of its target students and give couple of brochures instead – containing a brief definition the ALS program, commonly asked questions, along with the application form of the program.

Valenzuela City also developed special modules for the ALS students which include lessons in personality development and financial literacy.

Meanwhile, the DCS – Valenzuela expects more of this year’s ALS enrollees in the coming months as the face-to-face classes commence.

For almost seven years, the City Government of Valenzuela has been allocating ALS kits to the learners. 2^nd District Councilor Mickey Pineda, dubbed as the new “Kuya ng mga ALS students,” hopes to also have an ALS senior high school in Valenzuela City so that the students can still continue their studies even if they are working.

“Hopefully, bago matapos ang taong ito ay mai-launch na natin ang ALS senior high school para sa inyo. Kaya sa ating mga ALS students, sana [ay] ‘wag nating sayangin ‘yung binibigay na opportunity ng ating City Government,” Coun. Pineda said. [Hopefully, before the end of this year, we will be able to launch the ALS senior high school for you. So, to our ALS students, I hope [we] don't waste the opportunity provided by our City Government]

Also present in the distribution were, Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad Borja, DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Meliton Zurbano, and City Councilors; Chiqui Carreon, Sel Sabino-Sy, Marlon Alejandrino, Gerald Galang, Cris Feliciano, Niña Lopez, Louie Nolasco, and Ghogo Deato Lee.

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