Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan Junior High School (XUJHS) and Senior High School (XUSHS) have officially renewed their partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and various public schools through the signing of the Tulong Dunong (TD) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for 2025. The ceremony was held at the XU SHS Audio-Visual Rooms 1 and 2 last 6 October 2025.
The event commenced with opening remarks from Dr Pamela Q Pajente, Vice President for Basic Education, who highlighted the theme of hope. Addressing recent findings from the EDCOM II report on reading challenges among Filipino students, Dr Pajente expressed optimism that students from Xavier's JHS and SHS will serve as beacons of hope for their tutees through the Tulong Dunong program.
Fr Mars P Tan, SJ, University President, congratulated the Tulong Dunong community for its sustained growth and impactful contributions over the years. In his message, he urged all stakeholders to “hope together and work together,” reaffirming Xavier University’s unwavering commitment to education and social transformation.
Photo by Matthew Magtajas
The ceremonial signing was led by Fr Mars Tan, SJ, University President; Dr Pamela Pajente, Vice President for Basic Education; Ms Lea Lilibeth Emata, Principal of XUJHS; Dr Rogelio Gawahan, Principal of XUSHS; and Mr Romeo Aclo, Assistant Chief of the School Governance and Operations Division, representing Dr Roy Angelo Gazo, Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd Cagayan de Oro. Attendees also included partner school principals and TD coordinators, whose ongoing collaboration is vital to the program’s successful implementation.
Photo by Matthew Magtajas
Following the signing, Mr Aclo delivered a message reaffirming DepEd’s continued support for the Tulong Dunong initiative, emphasizing its significant role in learner development and community engagement.
A highlight of the event was a panel discussion on the Best Practices of TD Schools, moderated by Mr Jeffrey Velasco, XUJHS Social Studies teacher Panelists included Ms Sonia Lagura, Ms Raziel B Mondoñedo, Ms Joan Tabilin, and Ms Julieta Puasan, who shared their schools’ experiences, innovations, and challenges in carrying out the program.
Photo by Matthew Magtajas
Mr Anthony Ryan Manus, XUJHS Tulong Dunong and Social Development Coordinator, also presented the program’s milestones for Academic Year 2024–2025. Among these was the establishment of a Mini Toy Library at Macanhan Elementary School, made possible through the support of the English Department and other collaborative projects across disciplines. He emphasized that Tulong Dunong is “more than a partnership — it is a shared mission rooted in service and compassion.”
Photo by Matthew Magtajas
The event concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Rogelio Gawahan, XUSHS Principal, who expressed gratitude to all partners and highlighted the values that sustain the program: gratitude, commitment, and hope — the same values that continue to guide Xavier University’s mission of forming persons for others and with others.