MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Over 260 participants from across the country gathered for EVERYTHING AI: The 2025 NBEC Summit on Accessibility and Inclusivity on March 20-21, 2025, at Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle, Manila.
Organized under the CEAP National Basic Education Commission (NBEC), the summit brought together Catholic educators, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping accessibility and inclusivity in the Philippine educational system.
As the educational landscape evolves, the summit offered a valuable opportunity for experts in the field to share insights on AI’s potential to transform educational practices. Presentations and panel discussions delved into the practical applications of AI, focusing on its impact on policy and classroom dynamics while also addressing the challenges and opportunities for Catholic education in this new era.
The summit began with a Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr. Rey Anthony P. Navidad, Region VIII Trustee and Superintendent of the Diocese of Borongan Catholic Schools.
Participants were then welcomed by CEAP President Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ. In his speech, he reminded the participants of the deeper purpose for this year’s NBEC Summit. "In this Summit we shall reflect, listen, converse, and discern a lot, together as a community, in the spirit of the Church’s vision of synodality, not just as educators, but more significantly so, as a community of Catholic school educators inspired by our Christian faith," shared Fr. Karel.
Discussions on the Revised Senior High School Curriculum were led by DepEd OIC-Assistant Secretary for Operations Joycelyn D.R. Andaya, alongside panelists Mr. Benhur Ong, MBA, Chancellor of De La Salle College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB), and Fr. Onofre G. Inocencio, Jr. SDB, President of Unified TVET Inc. (UniTVET). The talk was moderated by Ms. Evangeline de Peralta, Chairperson of the NCR Basic Education Commission.
An engaging session on Ethics and Academic Integrity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence was led by Mr. Francis Jim Tuscano, Grade School CLE Chairperson and EdTech Coordinator at Xavier School, San Juan. He was joined by Mr. Leo Martin Angelo Ocampo of the Institute of Religion, University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Mr. Ricardo R. Palo, Executive Director of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU). Dr. Teresita Arcos-Surot, School Directress of Holy Family School of Quezon City, moderated the forum.
The second day of the summit began with a presentation on Institutionalizing Assessment Reform and Learning Interventions: Policy Recommendations in Basic Education by Dr. Marilyn U. Balagtas, Vice President for Academics at the Philippine Normal University (PNU).
CEAP Executive Director Mr. Narcy F. Ador Dionisio then led a consultation on Standards-Based Reporting of Student Achievement and Performance.
The final plenary presentation, titled Engaging Complementarity: Addressing Gaps and Leverages on Accessibility and Inclusivity in Basic Education, was led by Dr. Rhodora Angela F. Ferrer, Executive Director of the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), with panelist Atty. Sabino Padilla IV, CEAP Legal Counsel. The session was moderated by Mr. Jose Ramelle Javier, Superintendent for Luzon Schools at the Lasallian Schools Supervision Office, who also led the summit’s reflection and synthesis.
“...And I hope that with all the remarkable opportunities for growth and the networking that transpired yesterday and today, we pray that all our Catholic educators present here today and when you return to your respective homes, and respective educational communities, that AI should remain in your hearts, that AI should be an indication that you always remain in love–so that’s AI: Always remain In love with a mission,” Mr. Javier concluded.
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In addition to the insightful sessions, participants had the opportunity to connect with this year’s sponsors, including DANE Publishing House, DIWA Publishing House, REX Bookstore, SCUOLA Enterprises, Power Mac Center, Optimal Systems Distribution Inc., Phoenix Publishing House, and Phoenix Educational Systems Inc.
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