The DepEd RO2 STARS Awards program began in 2016 to recognize and reward outstanding public service in delivering basic education. It aims to encourage innovation, sustainable practices, quality performance, and commitment to public service. The first ceremony was held in 2016, and ceremonies have since been hosted across schools division offices to honor award recipients. The 2020 ceremony will be hosted by SDO Quirino to celebrate this year's outstanding STARS.

1. DepED RO2 STARS Awards Journey
“Brains, like hearts, go where they are appreciated” exudes the sum of the
performance and accomplishments.Efforts that are significantly recognized serve as
the best motivation in stimulating job fulfillment and ultimately, organizational
productivity.
The DepEd RO2 has gone a long way since the inception of the Program on
Rewardsand Recognition dubbed as Service- focused, Talented, Affective, Resilient
and Spiritually-driven (STARS) or STARS Awards in the year 2016.
This is in line DepEd Order No. 9, s 2002 titled Establishing the Program on
Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) in the Department of
Education, which aims to encourage,recognize and reward employees, individually or
in groups, for their suggestions, innovative ideas, inventions, discoveries, superior
accomplishments, heroic deeds,exemplary behavior, extraordinary acts or services in
the public interest and other personal efforts contributing to efficiency, economy and
improvement in government operations whichlead to the organizational productivity.
In 2016, DepEd Region 2 has institutionalized its PRAISE through the able
leadershipof Regional Director Benjamin D. Paragas, CESO V, who then Chaired the
PRAISE Committee when he was OIC Assistant Regional Director under the care of
then Regional Director Estela L. Cariño, CESO IV. Dubbed as Service- focused,
Talented,Affective, Resilient and Spiritually-driven(STARS) Awards for DepEd Region
2 to recognize and reward outstanding achievementsin the delivery of basic education,
encourage innovative and sustainable practice in education, and promote quality
performance and commitment to public service.
The first ever awarding ceremony was held at FL Dy Coliseum in the City of
Ilagan on December 15, 2016-co-hosted by SDO City of Ilagan through then SDS
Denizon Domingo. In 2017, the event was co-hosted by SDO Santiago City on
December 19, 2017, followed by SDO Cauayan City on December 20, 2018 and SDO
Cagayan on December 17, 2020. This year’s awarding ceremony will be co-hosted by
SDO Quirino.
Who shall be our STARS for 2020? Let’s sit back and relax as we witness the
2020 awarding ceremonies hosted by SDO Quirino!
PRAISE Committee members:
 Jessie L. Amin, CESO V, OIC ARD-PRAISE Chairperson
 Jerry B. Sario, Jr., Chief Education Supervisor, HRDD-NEAP-Vice
Chairperson
 Felipe L. Marallag, Chief Administrative Officer, Finance Division-
Member
 Atty. Jose Mario M. Macarilay, Chief Administrative Officer,
Administrative Division- Member

2.  Octavio C. Cabasag, Chief Education Supervisor, CLMD-Member
 Jocelyn De Polonia, Administrative Officer V, Personnel Section, Rank-
and-File Employee Representative (Level II)
 Jan Dominique O. Mirales, Administrative Assistant I, Rank-and-File
Employee Representative (Level I)
 Liberato T. Umangay, Jr. Education Program Supervisor, Secretariat
Chairperson
 Corazon T. Siringan, Education Program Specialist, Secretariat Member
Sub-Committee Members:
 Francis Deo King Ventura, Chief Education Supervisor, Policy Planning
and Research Division
 Joselito L. Narag, Chief Education Supervisor, Education Support
Services Division
 Zenaida P. Alejo, Chief Education Supervisor, Field Technical Assistance
Division
 Rizalino Caronan, EPS, Curriculum and Learning Management Division
 Rogie Sion, Supervising Administrative Officer, Finance Division
 Marivic A. Somejo, EPS, Field Technical Assistance Division
 Roderick Guinucay, EPS, Curriculum and Learning Management
Division
 James D. Pamittan, EPS, Curriculum and Learning Management
Division
 Dennis John Espinoza, EPS, Field Technical Assistance Division
 Roman G. Pagaduan, EPS, Quality Assurance Division
 Isagani R. Duruin, EPS, Curriculum and Learning Management Division
 Ronnie F. Tejano, EPS, Curriculum and Learning Management Division
 Jhoanna G. Pagulayan, Accountant III, Finance Division
 Ronadette B. Quintos, Attorney IV, Legal Unit
 Amir M. Aquino, Administrative Officer V, Public Affairs Unit
 Ryan R. Paquing, Dentist III, Education Support Services Division
 Freshneida H. Achanzar, Administrative Officer V, Records Section
 Rose Mary Peralta, Administrative Officer IV, General Services Unit
 Rhodora Joy G. Perlas, Administrative Officer IV, Personnel Section
 Jocelyn M. Taguinod, Dorm Manager II, NEAP