Feature: Learning insights on the work and life of
a teacher
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
(PIA) - Almost all Surigaonons knew of the terrible
accident that happened to the two teachers in San Miguel town in Surigao del
Sur early this year.
As they were going to their respective stations,
the teachers were riding a boat which sank in a river due to the strong current
of water.
Of the two teachers, only one survived and the
other drowned. She risked her life for
her passion, commitment, dedication and love for work - that is to teach the
Indigenous People (IP) or “Lumad” children.
San Miguel-District 3 in-charge Elnie Anthony
Barcena had the same experience during his first assignment in Barangay
Calatngan in San Miguel when he was employed by the Department of Education
(DepEd). He said that the life of a teacher is not easy, especially for those
who are assigned in the far-flung areas.
Based on the teachers’ experiences, it is indeed
very challenging to be assigned in far flung areas because teachers would
encounter variety of uncomfortable means of transportation like “banka”, “habal-habal”
and even the use of animals such as horse and carabao just to reach their
station.
It becomes more challenging if the weather is not
good. They will resort to hiking since the river is too risky to pass through,
and hiking is a struggle for them. The sticky mud, jumping over canals and some
peaks in the mountain, trekking the different terrain, wallowed in creeks, and
walking on corn fields and coconut fields with perspiration dripping from their
forehead, while bringing their food supplies and other needs for the entire
week or a month.
Despite the situation, teachers in far-flung areas
have not ceased from constantly wearing cheerful faces and optimistic outlook
for the love of work and to inspire the lives of the children who are patiently
waiting for every start of the week for their love and care, and that somehow
change their lives through education.
Truly, teachers risk their lives and that of their
entire family just to pursue their chosen vocation; that is to expand the gift
of education wherever and whenever opportunity comes.
Teachers are present in the community not merely to
teach the school children but also to serve as living catalysts to uphold
values, integrity and rights of every individual. As they teach their students,
teachers were able to develop in the mind of the children the importance of
having good education, the good values and the chance of transforming an
individual into a productive member of the community.
Teachers are not present just to teach children,
but they serve as a resource person, a confidante, a friend, and a model to the
community. That is the reason why they have a great impact, not only to their
students, but also to the community they teach.
Teacher Glenn Cubillan who recently passed away
because of the accident that happened while she was on her way to her station,
demonstrated those qualities worth emulating.
According to the neophyte district in-charge, he
has several questions that bothered him on what to do or how to handle this
kind of situation. Perhaps, he is still not ready to handle these kinds of
difficulties.
Losing one teacher in a group is not easy to take,
however he said, that he should remain strong and would just have to console
himself that he has a DepEd family who are ready to back him up and who believe
that he is not alone. Everyone would have a share in facing challenges in life.
No one can escape reality. But the question is,
when problem occurs, will you panic? Or will you see it as challenge?
Sometimes, the whole world seems like a problem. Basically, if problem occurs,
how will you see you it? Is it a threat? Or is it a challenge? (PIA-Surigao del
Sur)
PNP Caraga continues drive against illegal logging

BUTUAN CITY, April 11 (PIA) - Police and
environmental authorities in Caraga region confiscated 27,108.98 board feet of
assorted lumbers and logs valued at P521,725.77, vehicles, various equipment,
arrested owners and dismantle sawmills recently.
Police Regional Office 13 Regional Director PCSupt.
Noli A Romana identified the arrested suspects as Aldrin Engyo Bat-ao, 21, and
Alyn Jun Engyo Bat-ao, 18, of Barangay Mapaga, Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur;
Eddie Prochina Capilitan, 54, of P-2A, Sitio Hubang, Brgy. Poblacion, Bunawan,
Agusan del Sur; Franklin B Mercalis, 39, of P-1, Brgy. San Teodoro, Bunawan,
Agusan del Sur; and Michael Tiempo Ipil, 43, of P-5, Brgy. Lower Doongan,
Butuan City while suspects identified as Robert Kert Napao Mondejar, Grace
Tantoy Sodijana, Jason Plaza, alias Popong, Joy Perez, Tata Gallardo, Roque
Culla, Rolibe Diegas Morales, Jamael Bautista Pundag, Artemio Usares Pastera,
Maximo V Viduya, Arceli Z Viduya, Roel Biol Castillo, Roderick Buar Gumban,
Dante Jabagat, and Rolibe Clemente Tubay were at large.
Charges for violation of the Forestry code are
being readied against the suspects and seized items were brought to the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for safe keeping.
Romana stated that aside from war against drugs and
other criminal activities, Caraga police are also focused on combating all
forms of illegal logging as part of PNP’s “LOI Sangyaman” that ensures the
protection and preservation of the environment and natural resources.
“We have taken proactive measures in the effort to
keep Caraga region free of illegal logging,” he added.
Romana also thanked the personnel of Caraga PNP,
Armed Forces of the Philippines and foresters from the DENR with the full
support of all stakeholders for their immediate action to ensure a more
systematic response to illegal logging activities in the entire Caraga region.
(PRO-13/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog news: COMELEC Caraga handa na sa Barangay,
SK Elections
Ni Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN , Abril 10 (PIA) - Ilang araw
bago ang Barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan na halalan ngayong Mayo 14 ay pormal na nireactivate ng
Commission on Elections o COMELEC-Caraga ang Regional Joint Security Control
Center o RJSCC kasabay ng ginanap na Command Conference kamakailan dito sa lungsod.
Tinalakay sa nasabing pagtitipon ang security
measures, deployment preparations, pati na rin ang concerns ng Department of
Education, Department of Justice at Department of the Interior and Local
Government kung saan pinag-uusapan ng mga ito ang pagrereconcile ng
implementing policies ng Martial Law at ng COMELEC na saklaw sa election
period.
Ayon kay Atty. Francisco Pobe, regional election
director ng COMELEC-Caraga, tiniyak din ng kanilang ahensya at ng JSCC na
matutukan ang iba pang maselang detalye at issues kaugnay sa halalan nang sa
ganun ay maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng problema kabilang na ang ukol sa
appreciation of ballots ng mga miyembro ng DepEd kung saan ang mga guro ay may
malawakang latitude of discretion para magpasya kung isasali sa bilang o
ideklarang astray o invalid lalo pa’t manwal ang pagbibilang ng mga boto.
Sa inisyal na report ng Armed Forces of the
Philippines at Philippine National Police-Caraga, tinukoy din ang identified
areas of immediate concern o hot spots. Sinabi ni Col. Andres Centino,
commander ng 401st Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army na
patuloy silang nakikipagcoordinate sa PNP-Caraga at nagvavalidate sa
categorized areas. Anya may mga lugar na rin na naging cleared ng security
forces from affectation ng Communist Party of the Philippines New People's Army
o CPP-NPA.
Ang PNP-Caraga ay nakapagimbentaryo na rin ng
kanilang personnel resources at equipment. Ayon kay PCSupt Noli Romana,
regional director ng PNP-Caraga, magdedeploy sila ng humigit kumulang 4,000 na
kapulisan sa buong rehiyon kung saan ang 2,600 ay itatalaga sa 1,333 voting centers at ang 1,400 ay
mabibilang sa action forces at mobile units.
Ayon na rin sa COMELEC Resolution No. 10249, ang
mga regional at provincial JSCC ang mangangasiwa sa pagpapatupad ng pagbabawal
sa pagbitbit ng baril at patalim sa panahon ng eleksyon at mangangasiwa sa mga
pulitiko na kukuha ng aplikasyon para kumuha ng security service.
Magpapatupad naman ng election gun ban ang mga
otoridad kung kailan hindi papayagan ang pagbitbit ng baril o deadly weapon sa
labas ng bahay mula April 14 hanggang May 21, 2018 na panahon ng eleksyon.
Samantala, nanawagan naman si regional election
director Pobe sa publiko na maging vigilante at irereport agad ang anumang
iregularidad na siyang gagambala sa payapa at malinis na halalan.
(VLG/PIA-Caraga)
