The Philippine Normal University (PNU) North Luzon led the implementation of Project RISE: A 2-Day Seminar-Workshop for Early Childhood Educators mobilizing key education stakeholders to enhance early childhood education frameworks in Northern Luzon, held at the Isabela State University (ISU) Cauayan Campus Amphitheater on May 5-6, 2026.

Anchored on the theme “Building Foundations, Shaping Futures: Empowering Early Childhood Educators for Nation-Building,” the initiative positioned PNU at the forefront of policy translation, teacher capacity-building, and systems reform in early childhood education. Project RISE was conducted under the strategic stewardship of Dr. Bert J. Tuga, PNU President, who fortified the institution’s mandate as the National Center for Teacher Education. His leadership emphasized a deliberate push to recalibrate teacher education systems toward evidence-based, developmentally grounded, and nationally responsive practice. In his message of support, Dr. Tuga articulated PNU’s institutional direction, emphasizing that strengthening early childhood educators is a crucial factor for long-term national development. He stressed the urgency of aligning teacher preparation, curriculum design, and field practice with contemporary developmental science and policy reforms.

In the opening program, Prof. Dr. Agnes S. Reyes, Executive Director and Provost of PNU NL, formally welcomed the participants, followed by Prof. Dr. Leticia N. Aquino, Project-Lead, who presented the rationale and objectives of the activity, Prof. Dr. Marisol S. Foronda, Executive Officer of ISU Cauayan, formally introduced the participants and partner-institutions. In her message, former Secretary, Department of Budget and Management, Dr. Amenah F. Pangandaman, underscored the crucial role played by every educator, hence, the need for them to be capacitated. Meanwhile, Dr. Benjamin D. Paragas, CESO III, DepEd Regional Director, emphasized synchronized efforts in strengthening early childhood education systems while Prof. Dr. Boyet L. Batang, ISU President, reasserted ISU’s institutional commitment to research, training, and extension services for educators. Moreover, CHED Region II, headed by Dr. Julieta M. Paras, represented by Ms. Jee Evangelista-Liban, called for strengthening the ECE program offering of higher education institutions to address literacy gap. The highlight of the opening program is the presence of the keynote speaker, Hon. Ricmar P. Aquino, Commissioner, Commission on Higher Education, being introduced by ISU Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Precila C. Delima. During his keynote address, Comm Aquino, shared EDCOM Year Two report on gaps and deficiencies in early childhood education such as lack of teacher trainings, teacher preparation, inequitable access, and entrenched rote pedagogies. He further stressed inter-agency convergence as a prerequisite for systemic reform, framing early childhood education as a critical foundation of nation-building. He concluded his speech saying that ‘when we strengthen the teachers, we strengthen the child, and when we strengthen the child, we strengthen the nation’.

The first day of lecture-sessions featured the first set of resource speakers: Ms. Michelle Grace A. Macaspac on Child Development and Learning Foundations; Prof. Dr. Marites A. Balot on Social-Emotional Learning and Behaviour; Dr. Adelaila J. Leaño on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity; and Dr. Carlino G. Santos on Health, Safety and Well-Being of the Child. Their discussions highlighted discourse on child development theories, social-emotional learning, inclusive education, and mental health.

On the other hand, Day 2 lecture-sessions emphasized the interplay among the teacher, learner, curriculum, and classroom environment: Prof. Dr. Leticia N. Aquino on Classroom Environment and the Curriculum; Atty. Donna B. Remigio on Educator’s Well-Being and Professional Growth; and Dr. Jay-Ar G. Balauag on Technology and Modern Challenges. Throughout the program, PNU NL maintained intellectual and strategic direction, proving its role as a policy-driving institution in teacher education reform.

Furthermore, one key feature of the activity is the organization of a professional association called “Society of Early Childhood Education Advocates (SECEA)” which aims to continue championing early childhood education in the Region and beyond. Dr. Leticia Aquino, the elected president of the association from PNUNL, together with the other officers coming from other teacher education institutions, DepEd schools, and CHED office, presented the future activities of the association.

The successful implementation of the activity by the Philippine Normal University North Luzon was made possible through the support and commitment of partner institutions who inked a Memorandum of Agreement for this noble project, namely: Isabela State University (ISU), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 02, Department of Education (DepEd) Region 02, and Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD). The convergence of these 4 great institutions is a great manifestation of support to the mantra, “Para sa bata, Para sa bayan”.