DESPITE THE suspension order issued against them by the Department of Education in Davao Region (DepEd-11), the schools operated by Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanogon in Compostela Valley still hold classes today.
Last July 12, Deped Regional Director Evelyn Fetalvero issued a suspension order to the Salugpungan schools, citing reports from National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. that the institutions used children in rallies, and taught ideologies that advocate against the government.
A month after the suspension, Dr. Reynante Solitario, schools division superintendent, revealed that three Salugpungan schools in the municipalities of Pantukan, New Bataan and Maragusan have been monitored to have violated the order.
“We already submitted a report to our central office about this case, and we are awaiting their action on that,” Solitario stressed.
Meanwhile, Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy supported the suspension order of the Deped saying that for 10 years of existence in Compostela Valley, the administration of the Salugpungan schools had not consulted the local government in the province.
“As governor and former chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council, we also received complaints on the failure of these schools to secure free, prior and informed consents from the communities where they operate, as mandated by the Indigenous People’s Rights Act,” the governor said.
Concerned on the welfare of the children in the suspended learning centers, the provincial government will built five ‘Bayanihan’ schools at the geographically isolated and depressed areas in the province.
The ‘Bayanihan’ schools with two classrooms each will be built in the towns of Compostela, New Bataan and Pantukan.
Governor Uy said that the construction of the schools, which will be funded with the help of the private sectors, will start on September 15.
“We are hoping to finish the construction for one month only utilizing the Gawad Kalinga way and to open them on October also,” he said.
Previously, two ‘Bayanihan’ schools were constructed with the help of the community and other volunteers, and were opened last June 3.
The governor said these schools will give the parents in the area options on where they want their children to get quality education.(By Michael L. Uy)
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