ILOILO — School leaders across Western Visayas are confronting some of public education’s most pressing challenges — from bullying and financial accountability to digital transformation — as a major regional education summit opened yesterday in Iloilo City.
The Regional Assembly of Education Leaders (RAEL) 2026, set from August 18 to 20 at the Iloilo Convention Center, will bring together education officials and school administrators to strengthen their capacity to manage schools amid rapidly changing demands on the education system.
With the theme “Stronger Education Leaders, Better Schools, Brighter Future,” the three-day gathering shifts the spotlight beyond routine school administration toward the increasingly complex responsibilities of education leaders, including student safety, responsible use of public funds, technology integration and adapting schools to emerging learning needs.
The assembly is organized by the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 in partnership with the National Association of Public Secondary Schools of the Philippines (NAPSSPHIL) and the Public Elementary School Principals Association (PESPA).
Education Secretary Sonny Angara and DepEd-6 regional director Dr. Cristito A. Eco will spearhead discussions aimed at strengthening school leadership and advancing educational practices across Western Visayas.
Eco is expected to discuss the progress and future direction of education in the region, particularly efforts to build a more responsive education system.
Angara, meanwhile, will tackle key issues confronting public education and is expected to rally education leaders toward stronger collaboration and collective action.
A major focus of RAEL 2026 will be equipping school administrators to deal with challenges that increasingly extend beyond traditional classroom instruction.
Atty. Wade Latawan, senior partner at Latawan & Villanueva Law Firm, will lead the session “Beyond Discipline: Navigating the Legal Landscape of School Bullying,” which will examine the legal responsibilities of school leaders in addressing bullying and maintaining safe learning environments.
Financial accountability will also take center stage, with DepEd Undersecretary for Procurement and Finance Oversight Atty. Rowena Candice M. Ruiz discussing responsible stewardship and accountability in managing education resources.
The assembly will likewise tackle the growing role of technology in education.
Educator and resource speaker Jerome Rojo Eslabra will discuss innovative strategies for integrating values and technology into education, while policy and technology expert Dr. Emmanuel C. Lallana will examine how digital tools are transforming education and shaping the future of learning.
Beyond individual sessions, DepEd-6 said the assembly is intended to strengthen partnerships among education leaders, encourage collective action and ultimately improve learning outcomes across Western Visayas.
Through discussions and shared commitments, participants are expected to explore ways of making schools more responsive to the evolving needs of students.
“As we prepare to welcome our education leaders, the excitement is building, and the stage is set for meaningful conversations, new insights, and shared commitments,” stated DepEd-6./PN