MANILA, Philippines – An 81-year-old indigenous man from Pampanga has made history after completing the government’s Alternative Learning System (ALS), emerging as the oldest graduate among nearly 3,000 passers in the province and highlighting continuing efforts to widen access to education for marginalized sectors.
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| Photo courtesy: Pampanga PIO |
According to GMA Regional TV, Eduardo Saplala, a member of the Aeta community from Barangay Camias in Porac town, completed the ALS program on January 20, 2026.
Education officials said Saplala was the oldest among the 2,934 ALS graduates in Pampanga, a milestone they described as both symbolic and transformative for indigenous people.
“Para makadagdag kaalaman. Kaya gusto kong madagdagan kaalaman ko para ’yung ibang tao, kahit mamatay na ako, hindi nila interisan ang karapatan kong maiwan sa pamilya ko,” Saplala said.
Local authorities emphasized that Saplala’s achievement reflects the importance of education in helping indigenous communities understand and safeguard their rights, particularly amid persistent risks of exploitation linked to limited access to formal schooling.
Saplala said his decision to enroll in ALS was driven by a desire to gain knowledge that would protect his family’s future. He shared that learning empowers him to ensure that his rights, especially those concerning what he leaves behind for his loved ones, will be respected.
Officials noted that many indigenous residents remain vulnerable due to interrupted or unavailable schooling, and that ALS serves as a crucial alternative pathway for those unable to complete basic education through traditional means.
The graduation rites also recognized ALS passers who are beneficiaries of the Department of Labor and Employment Government Internship Program (GIP). DOLE said ALS completers enjoy better prospects for further studies or improved employment opportunities.
To support learners, 390 GIP beneficiaries served as community teachers and facilitators, assisting Kapampangans enrolled in ALS. Several interns were later absorbed into government offices, including the provincial government.
One beneficiary, Gerald Salazar, said the program helped him prepare for his chosen profession in education by providing valuable hands-on experience.
Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda congratulated the graduates, telling them that their diplomas would help shift public perception of their educational backgrounds and open new opportunities.
Aside from certificates, the provincial government also distributed financial assistance and food packs to all ALS graduates.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express