The Department of Education Schools Division Office of Muntinlupa (DepEd SDO-Muntinlupa) and De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde formalized their partnership on June 5, 2025 through a memorandum of agreement supporting the development of a Deaf-centered bilingual secondary education program in the city.
The initiative, called MLITEDCE-LEAD (Model Learning Institute on Deaf-Centered Education – Literacy Education and Advancement of the Deaf), is based on an education framework developed by the Benilde Center for Education and Advancement of the Deaf (Benilde-CEAD) in partnership with The Nippon Foundation. The program promotes evidence-based practices, teacher training, learning materials development, and the establishment of Deaf-centered learning systems.
Guided by the principle “Nothing about Deaf people, without Deaf people,” Benilde-CEAD is supporting Pedro E. Diaz High School in becoming a model Deaf-centered bilingual school. From May 19 to 30, CEAD trained nine PEDHS teachers on core competencies in FSL communication and Deaf education. These teachers form the first batch of MLITEDCE-LEAD participants.
The MLITEDCE-LEAD faculty includes Deaf education specialists Jasmin Rivera and Nathaniel Macariola, along with Dr. Tina Sison, Dx. Rafa Domingo, and CEAD Director Ms. Techie Dela Torre.
During the ceremony, leaders from DepEd and Benilde emphasized inclusive, learner-centered education and the long-term importance of partnership in strengthening Deaf academic success. The program aligns with Republic Act 11106, the Filipino Sign Language Act of 2018.
