LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA, PHILIPPINES | On the 165th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Municipality of Los Baños marked a historic milestone in education with the official launch of the Rizal Classrooms of the Future (RCOF) at Los Baños Central Elementary School.
More than a commemorative project, the initiative represents the municipality’s concrete response to the Department of Education’s call for collaborative solutions to address the country’s learning challenges, following the alarming findings of the EDCOM2 report on the state of Philippine education.
Spearheaded by Mayor Neil Andrew N. Nocon, the Rizal Classrooms of the Future seeks to confront issues in literacy, learning outcomes, and student engagement through a holistic approach that combines technology, innovation, and values-based education.
For Mayor Nocon, the program is more than a technology project—it is an investment in the next generation of leaders.
“The inspiration behind the Rizal Classrooms of the Future came from our students in the ARAL Program and our desire to strengthen literacy, critical thinking, innovation, and values formation,” Mayor Nocon emphasized during the launch. “This is not simply about technology; it is about developing young people into critical thinkers, innovative leaders, and responsible citizens.”
Mayor Nocon explained that the program was designed not only to modernize classrooms but also to help address the educational challenges highlighted by national education stakeholders. By integrating digital learning tools, interactive content, and values formation into the learning experience, Los Baños aims to create a model that can help improve student outcomes while preparing learners for an increasingly digital future.
The RCOF initiative is the first of its kind in Los Baños and reflects the municipality’s commitment to educational transformation through meaningful innovation. The program integrates digital tools such as Rizal Tablets while ensuring that technology remains a means to enhance learning rather than replace the human values that shape education.
The project also received strong support from Senator Bam Aquino, who delivered a keynote video message recognizing the initiative’s importance in addressing educational challenges.
“The Rizal Classrooms of the Future can serve as a model for innovative and creative solutions to the challenges facing education today. Technology has an important role in helping prepare both teachers and students for deeper learning and a stronger future,” Senator Aquino said.
His message underscored the growing recognition that addressing the country’s education crisis will require partnerships among government institutions, schools, communities, and the private sector.
The launch showcased a live RCOF classroom simulation led by ARAL Program Teacher Eleanor T. Abelilla, together with student application developers from Laguna State Polytechnic University, Los Baños Campus. The demonstration highlighted how technology can be integrated into classrooms to make learning more engaging, accessible, and relevant to today’s students’ needs.
That spirit of collaboration was evident throughout the event, which brought together leaders from local government, the Department of Education, higher education institutions, civic organizations, and industry partners.
Among the key supporters was Lt. Col. Janette Chavez-Arceo, MNSA (GSC) PA (RES) of the Impact Solutions Institute of the Philippines (ISIPhil), one of the organizations helping advance the program’s mission of responsible and future-ready education.
“Transforming education requires collaboration across sectors. When government, schools, communities, and industry work together, we create opportunities that empower learners and prepare them for the future,” Arceo shared in support of the initiative.
The event was also attended by Vice Mayor Marlo PJ Alipon, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, officials from the Department of Education, representatives from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, business organizations, and various community stakeholders.
Additional highlights included the ceremonial turnover of the Rizal Classrooms of the Future, acceptance messages from DepEd officials, the launch of the University of the East Milk Feeding Program, and the unveiling of support from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Los Baños.
As the nation continues to grapple with learning gaps and educational challenges identified in the EDCOM2 report, Los Baños is positioning itself as a local government willing to take decisive action. The RCOF launch demonstrates how local governments can lead educational innovation by building partnerships that combine technology, community engagement, and values-based learning.
As Los Baños commemorated the legacy of the country’s national hero, it also took a significant step toward shaping classrooms that are equipped for the future while remaining rooted in the principles that Dr. Rizal championed—education, civic responsibility, and nation-building.
With Mayor Nocon at the helm and the support of educational institutions and private sector partners, the Rizal Classrooms of the Future stands as a model of what can be achieved when communities unite around a shared vision for education.
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