San Fernando City, La Union – “I will be communicating with you by heart,” highlighted the newly designated Officer-in-charge (OIC), Office of the Regional Director (RD), Dr. Tolentino G. Aquino of Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office I in his acceptance message during the turn-over ceremony held at the National Educators Academy of the Philippines on September 10, 2019.

He further added, “The understanding of the heart goes beyond the knowledge of the language.”

RD Aquino delivered these statements in line with the queries about his ability to communicate in Ilocano, the Ilocos Region’s native language.

The incoming RD is the former Officer-in-charge, Office of the Assistant Regional Director in the National Capital Region (NCR) since 2018.

“Probably, few years from now, DepEd Region I will claim what rightfully belongs to Region I, that is, to become the premier Region. If not the premier Region of the entire country, at least the premier Region of Northern Luzon,” RD Aquino said as his vision for Region I.

He promised to share what he learned from his former Directors and from office people. However, he admitted that he needs the cooperation and support of the DepEd Region 1 personnel.

“Today my friends, I solicit your help and your support, not for me to gain fame as the OIC Regional Director of DepEd Region I but for me to serve the young Ilocanos better,” he finally said.

RD Aquino expressed his gratitude to RD Malcolm S. Garma and other officials of DepEd Region 1 for the warm welcome as he assured to continue and sustain what RD Malcolm S. Garma has started in Region I.

(Cesar S. Bucsit, ORD-PAU)