Senior high school students in northern Mindanao need to be skilled in communication, problem solving, and interpersonal relations. This was revealed in a study conducted by the Philippine Business Social Progress, in partnership with Citi Foundation Philippines in its Bayanihan Pampaaralan Collective Support to SHS Program. One of the activities in the PBSP-Citi Foundation partnership was the conduct of the Job Market Study to determine the current situation of labor demand and supply in Cagayan de Oro City and nearby provinces and how SHS can well respond to. In his presentation of the Current State of SHS implementation in northern Mindanao, Dr. Allan Farnazo, regional director, Department of Education-10, affirmed the same need for the SHS students in the region. Farnazo also emphasized the crucial role of the partnership in the implementation of SHS and its importance in achieving the goal of the program. The result of the study also provided the information and insights about the industry and jobs available for the SHS. Meanwhile, Technical Education Skills Development and Employment Committee (Tesdec) Chairman Ariel Hernandez shared about the Tesdec of Cagayan de Oro City and showed how it became possible for all stakeholders to joined together and respond to. Hernandez emphasized that the school heads and principals should muster the Senior High and learn how to engage the private sector or the industries. Created under Executive Order 047-14, CDOC-Tesdec provides checking, managing and harmonizing all kinds and types of technical education and skills training to be carried-out in the city. It was also reiterated that SHS is the better chance to alleviate, if not, end poverty. For his part, PBSP Executive Director Reynaldo Antonio D. Laguda said education is everybody’s concern. He also emphasized the importance of education as long term solution to poverty and how business plays important role in the society and development. Five Deped divisions—Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Malaybalay, Misamis Oriental, and Valencia also presented their priorities and identified areas for possible collaboration or opportunities with the private sector during the Bayanihan Pampaaralan Stakeholders’ Forum on SHS held in Cagayan de Oro City participated by 26 companies, industries among others. (pia x)