𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | Dr. De Leon joins Southeast Asian Round Table Conference of Teachers and Teacher Educators

Date Posted: Oct. 13, 2026

Dr. Elmer B. De Leon, College President of Limay Polytechnic College (LPC) and Director of Internationalization (IZN) and External Affairs, participated in the Southeast Asian Round Table Conference of Professional Teachers and Teacher Educators, held on October 5–8, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Manila.

The four-day regional conference brought together high-ranking officials, education representatives, and professional delegates from the Ministries of Education and relevant agencies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States.

The event was organized by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), through its International Affairs Office (IAO) led by Atty. Melisa Jane Comafay Yeachana and the Professional Regulatory Board for Professional Teachers (PRBPT) chaired by Hon. Rosita Navarro.

Participating countries included Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Brunei Darussalam, Lao PDR, and the Philippines, reflecting a shared regional commitment to advancing the teaching profession through cooperation, professional standards, and mutual learning.

The conference aimed to establish and strengthen professional networks and linkages; facilitate the exchange of knowledge, skills, experiences, and best practices; promote cooperation in education, research, professional ethics, and continuing professional development; explore mutual recognition of professional qualifications in teaching; and contribute to the advancement of the teaching profession across Southeast Asia.

Advancing Regional Comparability of Teacher Qualifications

The four-day engagement commenced with a welcoming dinner for ASEAN delegates, providing opportunities for professional interaction and cultural exchange ahead of the formal conference proceedings.

During the conference proper, Hon. Erwin Enad, PRC Oversight Commissioner welcomed the delegates. Hon. Charito Zamora, PRC Chairperson, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the significance of regional cooperation in strengthening professional regulation and advancing the teaching profession.

This was followed by an orientation on the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) and the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF), delivered by Dr. Reynaldo Vea, an industry expert and member of the Philippine Qualifications Framework National Referencing Committee.

The discussion was contextualized for the teaching profession by Hon. Rosita Navarro, Chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Board for Professional Teachers, highlighting the relevance of qualifications frameworks in establishing comparable standards and supporting professional mobility.

Representatives from each participating ASEAN Member State presented their respective national qualifications frameworks, including their design, implementation, and application within their education systems.

These presentations prompted substantive discussions, questions, and comparative analyses intended to identify similarities, differences, and opportunities for greater alignment among the region's teacher qualification systems.

Strengthening Teacher Professionalization and Continuing Development

Key discussions covered teacher recruitment and hiring processes, professional qualifications and standards, continuing professional development (CPD), career progression and pathways, specialization, and challenges encountered in the teaching profession.

The conference also explored technical considerations involving credit recognition, credit transfer, and microcredentialing, particularly their potential contributions to lifelong learning, professional advancement, and the comparability of teaching qualifications across national borders.

Through collaborative deliberations, the delegates examined how differences in national policies, professional regulations, and qualification requirements could be better understood and addressed to facilitate cooperation while respecting each country's educational context and regulatory framework.

The proceedings culminated in the consolidation, analysis, and synthesis of the participating countries' inputs and the presentation of key insights and recommendations.

The assembly concluded with the signing of a solidarity and commitment statement by representatives of the participating Member States, signifying their shared resolve to sustain regional cooperation in advancing the teaching profession.

Hon. Paz I Lucido, PRBPT Vice Chair, and Hon. Paraluman Giron, Member facilitated the sessions, while Dr. Milagros Borabo, Executive Director, and Dr. Gregoria Malihan, Treasurer, represented the Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators (PAFTE) moderated the open forum.

Hence, Ms. Nurul Imlati, Senior Officer of ASEAN Secretariat presented the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangements in Seven Service Professions.

Celebrating ASEAN Unity Through Cultural Exchange

Beyond the technical sessions, the conference featured Philippine cultural presentations and social engagements that were warmly received and appreciated by the international delegates.

These activities provided opportunities to showcase Filipino heritage, foster intercultural understanding, and strengthen professional relationships among education leaders and teacher educators from across Southeast Asia.

The shared experiences created meaningful memories for the delegates to bring back to their respective countries and educational communities, reinforcing the importance of cultural appreciation alongside professional collaboration.

Advancing LPC's Internationalization and Teacher Education Agenda

Dr. De Leon's participation in the regional engagement reflects LPC's continuing commitment to internationalization, professional networking, and the advancement of quality teacher education.
Exposure to regional qualifications frameworks, professional standards, CPD systems, and emerging approaches to career development provides valuable perspectives that may inform institutional quality improvement, academic partnerships, and future initiatives for faculty and teacher education development.

The conference also reinforces the importance of aligning local teacher education initiatives with broader regional developments while maintaining responsiveness to Philippine professional regulations, national educational priorities, and the needs of the communities served by higher education institutions.

To note, this has been the second leg of ASEAN Conference for Teacher Education, of which the first leg was in 2023 in Marriot Hotel, Newport World Resort, Pasay City.

Ultimately, the Southeast Asian Round Table Conference served not only as a platform for exchanging knowledge, skills, and professional practices but also as a venue for strengthening solidarity, cooperation, and collaboration among ASEAN education stakeholders.

Through engagements of this nature, LPC continues to broaden its international perspectives and strengthen its pursuit of quality, relevant, and globally responsive higher education—contributing to the development of competent, ethical, and future-ready professional teachers who can make a meaningful impact both locally and across the ASEAN region. #

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