Bagwis AY 2022-2023 2nd Sem MARCH

Editor-in-Chief

Aubrey Maye Arrieta

Managing Editor

John Zhidrik Galon

Feature Editor

Realee Gabarra

Layout Director

Kenneth Jay Ramping

Associate Editor

Herkurt Tamba

Circulation Manager

Jefferson Quipit

Sports Editor

Johnrey Rollo

Photojournalism Editor

Dianne Grace Jimenez

News Editor

Alex Tumagantag

Head Cartoonist

Louise Gabrielle Abing

Head Videographer

Clarenz Jude Caballero

EDITOR’S NOTE

Rhoda May Ebad

Cartoonist

News Writer Sharif Ryan Beldia

Videographers

Krizza Mae Maningding Gwyneth Ericca Lubaton

Jester Uchi

Rayner Ginno Paches

Advisers

Engr. Steve Anthony Lim

Jibran Tomindug, CPA

Sports Writers

Khate Catherine Asuncion

Kimbian Lim

Layout Artist

John Mark Polistico

Trainees

Maria Nicole P. Silva

Mark Joel P. Negro

Lynxter Leaño

Mia Dorothy Marcos

Ronajean Lavado

Niel Zsun John Vega

Berjan Pagadatan

Lyle dela Madrid

Kevin C. Asombrado

Editorial Writer

Leonard Tucjayao

Photojournalist

John Mark Bedayo

Bai Alleynore Kalim

Krishtine Rivera

John Ross T. Sambanan

Adrian A. Joven

Hidden Manna S. Avila

Katrina B. Elises

Ashley Louisa Loyloy

Rhynchielyne G. Melgar

Louise Martin Jordan

Tycoon James Flores

Krisczer

Dave David

The road traversed by the traditional jeepneys, dubbed “the King of the Roads,” is set to reach an impasse. The looming issue of jeepney phaseout in the country has stirred an uproar, which has sparked fears of losing culture and identity, intersecting the issue of environment, and even unfolding the discourse of social justice.

The jeepneys bore an emblem of Filipino culture as it is the sole transport embodying the honor system—one lends the fare to his fellow passengers until the money gets to the driver, the passenger tells the driver where he is headed, and the driver honors his word. Given the arrangement of seats in the traditional jeeps, where commuters are facing each other, this hints at Filipinos’ identity in socialization and building a conversation.

It is common knowledge that jeepneys are responsible for air pollution because of their old engines, but with the one scratch, one peck mode of living of jeepney drivers, worsened by the global plague, they can barely afford to upgrade to ease environmental harm, let alone buy modernized and costly automobiles.

To add, one may perceive that the looming dispute over the iconic jeepney phaseout is only boxed as a transport issue, but it is more than that—it is a struggle for social justice. With the Philippines being in a crisis arena, worsened by the modernday plague, we are progressing backward in the quest for fair and equal opportunities. The MSUans have not been silent on this, as this certain conundrum has not only posed distress to

MSUan jeepney drivers but has also had a domino effect on student jeepney commuters from our university.

Much has been told, but there can never be too much. No doubt that the role of the jeeps and its wheelmen in society is as clear as crystal waters. So long as there are no leeways provided for the drivers and operators, there should not be a deadlock on the streets of the King of the Roads—they shall not be dethroned on the Philippine roads. We go full blast in progression should there be an extension for the deadline for consolidation. The tweak in financial assistance given to drivers would be a game changer.

Cliché adage as may it sound, but choices are always a part of change. We have a choice to continue to be kept in the archives of our customs and bear stagnation; or we can veer off the beaten path and get caught in the web of all the unanticipated possibilities that life has to offer. The government has choices, but its populace has none. And so, the ultimate option that the former should choose at the crossroads of choices is the right path where no one should be left behind; otherwise, this country would be written off as being discordant.

MSUans, navigate through the pages in this March school paper issue and take a stand!

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Editorial

No red light for old jeepneys

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WHAT’S INSIDE?

MSU-GSC Jeepney Driver nagpalabas ng saloobin hinggil sa jeepney phaseout; MSUans hindi pabor sa panukala

7

Ascertaining Uncertainty

8

Crossroads of choices: A cover story 10

12

Feature

Heels at the Top: Lady Leaders of the Philippines

The Rise of a new HERcules 14

About the Cover

This March’s school paper cover pitched an original angle of the iconic King of the Road traversing a crossroad headlong. As this nation propels forward, the government is left with the consequence of crossing the roads of choices and peregrinating the right path—and that path to be taken is where no Juan should be left behind.

No red light for old jeepneys

For decades since the second world war, the traditional jeepneys have reigned the kingdom of the roads of the Philippines, dubbed as the country’s Hari ng Kalsada (King of the Road) as it stretched its prominence as the primary transportation modality of the Filipino people. However, behind its momentum is an unthought of harbinger of danger signaling as the government invaded the kingdom in an attempt to fully put a red light to the supposed continuous rule of the king as it eyed to enforce its

anti-poor transport policy, the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP). But, ordinary jeepney drivers would never falter.

Dated February 27, 2023, the transportation groups such as Manibela and Piston declared its plan of protest, staging a week-long national strike from March 6-12 in response to the Circular Memorandum No. 2023-013 issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Boards (LTFRB), setting the

deadline for the phaseout of traditional jeepneys on June 30. The PUVMP is seen by the government as the answer to the never-ending transport-related issues that continue to plague the country and cause inconvenience to both public transportation vehicle operators and commuters, as well as the ever-changing demands for technological advancements as the administration vies for a more competitive economy. However, the government failed to think outside the box as this costly transitioning may just

Illustration by Louise Gabrielle Abing

LEONARD TUCJAYAO

have ingressed yet another problem as it forces drivers and operators to shift to an electric vehicle or a combustion engine which amounts to an exorbitant P2.8 million, which complies with the Euro IV emission standard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of air pollution.

Moreover, it can be recalled that the program had been first issued in 2017, aiming to streamline and organize the country’s public road transportation system. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte appraised the program as a kick-start in making the Philippine transport aligned with global standards by providing Filipinos with a transport system that is safe, reliable, convenient, and environmentally sustainable.

In the current status quo, Transportation chief Jaime Bautista reiterated the need to modernize PUV, saying that the plan is far from being scrapped. He mentioned that the project will help strengthen the CASA (convenient, accessible, safe and secure, and affordable) program that the department is attempting to achieve for the public interest and common good of the commuters. But more importantly, he further justified that it will hinge the labor sector as it generates more jobs–mechanics, dispatchers, among others. Nonetheless, even though these sound justified, it still does not take a genius to understand that the program is not effectively feasible with the country’s billowing economy, and that the ordinary jeepney drivers could not afford to phase out their old units to buy for a costly and modernized one.

Moreover, the problem here is that the government is undeniably enslaved in their spectrum that it incessantly failed to reach to the growling masses. Traditional jeepney drivers and student commuters in Mindanao State University - General Santos had also expressed protest in the new transport policy. Modern e-jeepneys massively cost P 2.8 million per unit, a 1.766.7% hike over the P150, 000 - P250, 000 regular cost of traditional units. Insih Omar, a member of the Fatima Transport Cooperative, and an MSU-GSC jeepney driver said that “papalitan yung sasakyan tapos magbibigay yung national government ng subsidy. Napapayag kami,... pero masakit pa rin sa kalooban namin kasi wala kang utang, tapos papautangin ka ng milyon-milyon na kantidad ng sasakyan. Napakasakit yun.”

Howbeit, even if the government will provide a subsidy of P160, 000, this clearly still could not make up for the expensive amount of modern e-jeepneys, but would only cover 5.7% of the total cost. The regular jeepney drivers have even had to endure the heat of the road driving on the daily just to barely earn a penny and provide their families food to eat, let alone pay a million-cost jeepney.

But more so, the traditional jeepney phaseout would also take a huge toll on the end of the students whose primary mode of transportation going into and out of the university is a jeepney. In an exclusive poll conducted by Bagwis, 93.4% out of the 121 responses disagreed with the government on the phaseout of jeepneys. Felicity Aceron, an MSU student-commuter expressed their disapproval, justifying that the jeepney

fare only costs them P30– a cheaper and better alternative for a student like them living away from the campus. Conclusively, the labor sector and the transportation groups are not advocating against the environment nor public security, nor at the very least, modernization. The PUVMP stands as a great policy with its goals to achieve numerous economic and environmental implications. However, the prime issue here lies on the anti-poor policy of the government that continues to burden the people in the lowest echelon who continue to suffer especially with the current state of the country’s economy. Hence, it is only pivotal that the government live on its mandate as an umpire that caters to the demands of the varying associations in its constituencies: provide proper mechanisms and lenient leeways that would put the affected livelihood of the sector involved in consideration.

As modernity and globalization continue to thrive in the status quo, and as a country endeavoring for a more competitive economy to meet the global standards, modernizing PUVs may solve societal problems including that of the environment and security, not, however, for the Philippines with a swelling economic crisis and millions of people still in the poverty line. So long as the government could not provide proper mechanisms for traditional jeepney drivers, and so long as the Philippines be in the developing bracket in the international community, no red light for old jeepneys could impede its momentum and the king of the road continues to reign and navigate the roads of the country.

A. TUMAGANTANG, R. EBAD, L. LEAÑO, M. NEGRO, M.

SILVA

MSU-GSC Jeepney Driver nagpalabas ng saloobin hinggil sa jeepney phaseout; MSUans hindi pabor sa panukala

“Masakit sa kalooban namin.” Ito ang naging pahayag ni Insih Omar, isa sa mga 40 jeepney drivers na namamasada sa Mindanao State University-General Santos City (MSU-GSC), hinggil sa pagpapatupad ng Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization program ng gobyerno.

Ayon kay Omar na miyembro ng Fatima Transport Cooperative, mabigat at masakit sa kanilang kalooban ang nasabing programa dahil kinakailangan nilang magpa-consolidate ng sasakyant upang makapagpatuloy sa pag-ooperate hanggang Disyembre ngayong taon.

Ayon sa Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), ang franchise consolidation ay ang unang parte ng programa na nag-uutos sa mga jeepney drivers o individual franchise holders na bumuo ng kooperatiba na hindi bababa sa 15 na miyembro upang mas madali silang makapasok sa mga financial institutions upang makahiram ng pera pangsuporta sa bibilhing bagong unit.

Kapag consolidated na ang jeep, nangangahulugang ang operator nito ay nasa ilalim na ng pangagasiwa ng kooperatiba, at hindi na sila mag ooperate nang kanya-kanya. Nakatakdang magtatapos ang franchise consolidation ngayong December 31.

Bye, sasakyan; hello, utang!

Tila hindi na anak ni Omar ang magaabang sa kanya pag-uwi mula sa byahe kundi ang milyong utang na posibleng nyang haharapin kaakibat ng modernization program.

Bagamat consolidated na ang mga driver na nakatoka sa MSU-Gensan, haharapin naman ngayon ng mga tsuper ang posibleng magiging utang nila para makakuha ng e-jeepney na pumapalo sa 2.8 million kada-isa.

“Papalitan yung sasakyan tapos magbibigay yung national government ng subsidy. Napapayag kami, nagconsolidate, pero masakit pa rin sa kalooban namin, kasi hamakin mo ‘yan, wala kang utang tapos papautangin ka ng milyon-milyon na kantidad ng sasakyan, napakasakit ‘yun,” sambit ni Omar.

Nasa 260,000 pesos na subsidiya ang ibibigay sa mga tsuper na bibili ng e-jeep, ayon kay Transportation Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor.

Ngunit sa kabila ng nasabing sabsidiya mula sa gobyerno, anila ay masakit pa rin sa loob nila ang panukala gayong karamihan sa kanila ay nagbenta ng ari-arian upang makakuha lamang ng saksayang pinapasadahan nila ngayon.

“Yung iba nagbenta ng mga ari-arian upang makakuha ng sasakyan, ngayon magkakaroon ng desisyon ang gobyerno, bigla na lang papalitan yung sasakyan namin kahit maayos pa,” dagdag pa nito.

MSUans umalma sa phaseout

Sa kabilang banda, suportado ng mga komyuter na MSUans ang hinanaing ng mga tsuper tungkol sa posibleng pag phaseout ng traditional jeepney kapag hindi sila makasabay sa programa.

Sa isinagawang online survey ng Bagwis, 93.4% ang hindi pabor sa panukalang pag phaseout, habang nasa 6.6% naman ang nagsabing nararapat lamang na palitan na ang traditional jeepneys ng e-jeepney. Ayon naman kay Jerico Garay, estudyante ng College of Business

Administration and Accountancy, lubha makaaapekto sa mga komyuters lalong lao na sa mga estudyante kung sakaling hindi kakayanin ng Fatima Transport Cooperative na palitan ang kanilang mga unit ng bago, na maaring maging dahilan upang hindi sila makapag-operate. Aniya, mas nakakamura sila kung jeep ang kanilang sinasakyan kumpara sa tricycle.

“Mas convenient ang jeepney dahil isang babaan lamang ang mangyayari at fixed na ang pamasahe kung kaya mas nakakatipid ako sa pamasahe sa halagang P30 kumpara sa tricycle na 40,” wika ni Jerico.

Patuloy pa rin ang panawagan ng transport groups at mga komyuter na dinggin ang kanilang hiling na isang makataong PUV modernization program.

MSUans sa tanong na Pabor ka ba sa jeepney phaseout na ipinatutupad sa bansa?

JASMINE JOY PANES AND HERKURT TAMBA

Ascertaining Uncertainty

When confronted with an unprecedented or otherwise highly uncertain situation, even the most experienced and competent leaders may find it difficult to make decisions. The recent uproar over the removal of university beneficiaries from the institution’s Academic Scholarship (AS) grant has cast a cloud of uncertainty over how management makes a decision despite the ambiguity it has caused among the student body.

To highlight the previous mandate of the university, according to the guidelines of Resolution No. 6, Series of 1992, Section 9, “No student shall enjoy more than one (1) grant or scholarship in the University except for the Special Skill Grantees (KE, MSU Chorale, and SDG) who, at the same time, may enjoy Academic Scholarship, provided that, they shall receive only an augmentation allowance not to exceed P100.00 per month in addition to their privileges as scholar.”

With this ratified regulation, the institution has the authority to rescind students with existing scholarships from gaining academic stipend, except if students will withdraw their former grants to have the latter’s benefits and privileges. Yet, with Republic Act 10931 being set into motion by higher authority, the university shelved its statutory policy to yield to the said enactment of the law.

Since the implementation of RA 10931, or the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act,” in 2017, students who are under either public or private-funded scholarship programs have been known and believed to be eligible grantees of the University Scholarship Program if they meet the qualification requirements. Accordingly, with the publication’s sit-down interview with Mrs. Eljean Cobarde, the scholarship coordinator, she shed light on the real situation about the entrenching skepticism induced by the clamor about the reinstatement of the previous policy of the administration, alongside the clarification made by the UniFast OIC Executive Director, Atty. Ryan L. Estevez. Ma’am Cobarde made it clear through Atty. Estevez’s statement that it is not permissible to have double scholarships if the financial assistance received by the students [have] the same nature and the same source of fund, particularly with SUCs being funded by the national government. This means that the administration had unintentionally overridden the “should be” clause of the Free

Tuition Act, since there are enrolled students who enjoyed leverage from both government subsidies such as the AS, DOST, DBP, Landbank, and others. The committee head clarifies that the memorandum for multiple grants is not clear, so they agreed to allow students to receive bursaries as long as they met the requirements and upheld the established qualifications of their grants. As we magnify the issue, we can trace the fine lines that made the system matted due to the elusive implementation and frailty of the higher office (CHED), inducing repercussions on the downstream, where the burden is heavily placed.

On the other hand, Ma’am Cobarde has also admitted that she overlooked some of the students in the list who have existing government-funded scholarships, which puzzled scholars whose names were written in the recent Academic Scholarship release. Yet she averred that such loopholes were born out of the towering tasks she had to take on responsibly. It was reported that there was a substantial increase of scholars from the online education modality, which Ma’am Cobarde wholly handled and managed. As per the statement, about 1/3 of the population are scholarship grantees, and each of these students had to undergo individual verification by the committee head. She went on to say that there was a pressing test that affected the orientation of students due to the two-year pandemic and the abrupt change of university chancellor. Relatively, a shepherd with more than 2000 sheep cannot guarantee everyone will be directed on the same path since it is self-consuming; a glitch made by the committee is an error that ripples to the top-level governing body. This is a request to the administration to create an ad hoc office to oversee and manage the university’s scholarship program, as well as other public and private scholarship-granting entities. Through this specific management, the problem of targeting and validating students’ academic standing and scholarship status will be attenuated, and concerns from the studentry will be addressed directly with greater certainty and a significant level of

information due to an increase in economies of scale, particularly in manpower and divided labor.

Furthermore, with the confusion caused by the provision’s externalities and the administration’s drawbacks, speculations arose as to which bitter taste comments and remarks afflicted the said committee. According to Ma’am Cobarde, there were inquiries and posts that flagged her, and some were sarcastic and foul. It is important to note to all MSUans that there are proper avenues to address our concerns and that expressing our sentiments does not need to be grounded on illness. In the words of Ma’am Tersa Castillo, the head of the registrar’s office, with the support of the administration, will enhance their engagement, and that MSUans will be “expecting more close coordination about this matter”. Communication plays a key role in maintaining sustainable student service; reciprocally, the learners should also proactively participate in the objectives of the office. It is by intersecting both the benefits of the parties that we can cut across a common decision for everyone’s common good.

As a result, the committee should not be thrown into the hot skillet for the consequences that perplexed the scholars and the university in general. Howbeit, as the office continues to transition to its fundamentals after the shift in the educational paradigm, it is to be highlighted that this occurrence should not be seen as obstructive, but rather as a manifestation of the scholars’ proactivity to the issues that may further bring heat to the student-admin relationship. Indeed, preemptive actions are salient in putting off fire, since, “Ang maliit na butas ay lumalaki, konting gusot dumarami.”

NIEL ZSUN JOHN VEGA AND KIMBIAN LIM

The Rise of a New HERcules

In a world where the playing field is still far from level, being a woman in sports is a battle fought both on and off the court. But for those who are determined to make their mark, every match is an opportunity to break barriers, shatter expectations, and inspire a new generation of female athletes. And there is no one better suited to this challenge than a woman who dominates the game of table tennis with every swing of her paddle.

Her victories on the table are only the beginning of her journey. Beyond the court, she is a force to be reckoned with, breaking down the walls of gender stereotypes and proving that women can excel in many facets of life.

Photo by Katrina B. Elises

HERstory in the Making

Her name is Alexandrea Escalada, a fourth-year Political Science student of Mindanao State University - General Santos and a proud Sarangan table tennis player, scholar, beauty queen, and a community advocate.

Her journey with table tennis began when she was just a young girl, fascinated by the way the ball bounced back and forth across the table with lightning speed. She quickly fell in love with the sport, and it wasn’t long before she started honing her skills and practicing tirelessly.

As Alexandrea grew older, her passion for table tennis only intensified. She became a national contender, representing Region XII with pride and determination. But it was not just about winning for Alexandrea—there was a deep connection between her and the sport that went beyond the scoreboard.

For 13 years, she has been smashing ping-pong balls with fierce determination, leaving opponents in awe of her skills and fans cheering for her triumphs. But her success on the court did not come without challenges. Off the table, she faced her toughest battles yet—battles that tested her resilience and perseverance.

Her Side of the Net

As Alexandrea steps onto the court, she feels a surge of energy flow through her veins. Every stroke of her paddle sends a shiver down her spine, and every spin of the ball is like a dance move she practiced a thousand times. It is not just about winning the game; it is about the unspoken language between her and the table tennis table.

For more than a decade, Alexandrea has mastered the art of balancing sports and academics. For her, the path to becoming a student-athlete is paved with discipline, passion, and hard work. Her firm commitment to both aspects of her life has led to numerous victories in sports competitions such as the 2019 Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) in Camiguin and the recent 2022 Intramurals, where she won silver in table tennis women’s doubles.

But it is not just about winning medals

for her; it is about constantly striving for excellence in all aspects of her life. As a student, her academic achievements are just as impressive as her sporting ones, as she consistently earns a spot on the dean’s list and is a recipient of an academic scholarship grant from MSUGeneral Santos.

Despite her achievements, her path has not been without its challenges. She once considered giving up her beloved sport during her junior high school days due to academic pressures. However, her passion for table tennis prevailed, and she continued to play while also prioritizing her studies.

Alexandrea’s journey as a woman student-athlete is a testament to the strength and resilience of women in sports. Like the delicate but fierce movements in table tennis, she balances the weight of both worlds with grace and finesse, never letting one aspect outweigh the other.

Redefining HERoism

In and out the table tennis court, Alexandrea has been making waves as a fierce athlete and an inspiring advocate. But what truly sets her apart is her commitment to breaking down barriers and being a community servant, both as a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a fervent feminist.

Alexandrea’s passion is evident not just in her sports career but also in her community service efforts. She has gone beyond the table tennis court to share her skills with young children during summer, teaching them the game and inspiring them to pursue their own passions. As the winner of the prestigious Miss MSU 2019 crown, she has also used her platform to amplify causes close to her heart.

As a woman who has navigated the challenges of living in a patriarchal society, Alexandrea has learned to harness the power of patriarchy and turn it to her own advantage. Her thesis, “The Urdujas of Modern Days: Understanding How Women Capitalize Patriarchy in South Central Mindanao,” sheds light on the ways in which women can exploit patriarchal systems for their own benefit, and has earned her well-deserved recognition as a thought leader and advocate for gender equality. But her impact extends far beyond.

As a loud and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community she embodies the very spirit of bravery, perseverance, and self-acceptance. Her mere existence serves as a powerful reminder of the infinite ways in which a woman can express herself and defy societal norms. In a world that often seeks to constrain and categorize individuals based on narrow definitions of gender and sexuality, she fearlessly blazes her own trail. Her unapologetic embrace of her own identity as a woman is an inspiration to many, and her dedication to fighting discrimination and hate has earned her a place as a champion of change.

This Women’s Month, Alexandrea’s story is one of triumph over adversity, of breaking down barriers and redefining what it means to be a woman. From her early days as a young girl enchanted by the game of table tennis, to her current status as an athlete and advocate for gender equality and LGBTQIA+ rights, Alexandrea has never shied away from a challenge. She has faced setbacks and obstacles head-on, using her passion, determination, and unwavering commitment to inspire a new generation of female athletes and change-makers. Her journey embodies the rise of a new HERcules, a testament to the power and resilience of women in sports. You do not need to be a monument to be someone’s hero today. Alexandrea is more than just a table tennis champion; she is a trailblazer, a role model, a true hero, and a woman.

Photo by Ashley Louisa Loyloy

BAGWIS

T he Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University

General Santos City

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