After a two-year setback, CALABARZON has reclaimed its status as the top-performing region in the 2026 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC), held from April 13 to 17 in Ormoc City.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Region (NCR) secured second place, while Region II finished third in the country’s most prestigious campus journalism competition. Other top-performing regions included Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Bicol Region, and Central Luzon, reflecting a competitive national field of student journalists from both elementary and secondary levels. The annual NSPC, organized under the supervision of the Department of Education (DepEd), is the highest journalism competition for campus journalists in the Philippines, in line with Republic Act 7079 or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991. Participants qualify through a series of eliminations starting from the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC), followed by the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC), before advancing to the national level. In larger divisions, the districts have the Area School's Press Conference (ASPC) before the DSPC. This year’s NSPC carried the theme, “Mapanuri, Mapanindigan, at Mapanagutang Pamamahayag,” highlighting the importance of ethical reporting and vigilance against misinformation amid the rise of artificial intelligence and rapidly evolving media platforms. It can be remembered that the Davao Region edged CALABARZON in 2024, while the CARAGA Region topped last year’s competition, underscoring shifting regional strengths in campus journalism. In his message to participants, Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the broader responsibility of young journalists beyond competition. “Sa bawat balitang isinulat ninyo, sa bawat katotohanang pinili ninyong ipaglaban, hinuhubog ninyo hindi lamang ang inyong sarili kundi ang kinabukasan ng ating bayan. Ipagpatuloy ninyo ang pagsusulat. Ipagpatuloy ninyo ang paninindigan para sa bansa,” Angara said. “Sa panahon ng ingay at impormasyon, ang pinakamahalaga ay ang kakayahang pumili ng tama at ipaglaban ang katotohanan. Nawa’y dalhin ninyo ang aral ng NSPC—na ang isang mamamahayag ay may paninindigan, may pananagutan, at may malasakit sa bayan,” he said. Journalist Atom Araullo delivered this year’s keynote address, urging student journalists to uphold truth, integrity, and accountability in their work. “Tuwing may sakuna, buhay ang nakataya sa reporting natin. At sa gitna ng gulo, kailangan may magsasabi ng totoo,” he said, recalling his coverage of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Leyte. He stressed that journalistic excellence is not measured by awards or online engagement. Araullo also acknowledged the pressures and criticism that journalists often face, especially in reporting uncomfortable truths. “Kapag nagsasabi ka ng totoo, may magagalit… Ganyan ang trabaho ng mamamahayag: ikuwento ang mga katotohanang minsan, ayaw marinig ng iba. Ang problema, kapag hindi nagugustuhan ang balita, ang bilis sabihing ‘bias’—kahit hindi pa binabasa, o kahit malinaw ang ebidensiya,” he added. He also highlighted the evolving media landscape, emphasizing that technology cannot replace the core responsibilities of journalism. “AI can generate content, but it cannot pursue the truth… hindi nito kayang manindigan, at hindi nito kayang umako ng pananagutan,” he said. Moreover, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez encouraged delegates to value the experience beyond competition results. “You have to honor the journey. Keep writing, keep sharing your stories because life is a collection of stories. We are very inspired here in Ormoc,” she said. DepEd said the NSPC remains a key platform for developing responsible, critical, and ethical student journalists in the Philippines, as education officials continue to underscore its role in shaping future communicators in an increasingly complex information landscape.
