BUKIDNON SCHOOLS RECEIVE AID FROM ‘BISAYA GYUD’ PROGRAM

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales Lending aid to teachers in sustaining the implementation of distance learning, the Bisaya Gyud program donated reams of bond papers to La Fortuna Elementary School in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. ‘Bisaya Gyud’ is a weekly public service and entertainment program hosted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar. Initially launched to help underprivileged Bisaya Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the program’s scope has progressed to serving Bisaya Filipinos nationwide since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, delivering grassroots information on the efforts of local and national governments to address the people’s needs during the health crisis whilst launching their own initiatives through the ‘Operation Tabang.’ Under its Operation Tabang – Bond Paper Gift Project, the program donates reams of bond papers to disadvantaged schools in the Kabisay-an areas in the country as aid for the implementation of blended learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. School-In-Charge Nicodemos Oculares expressed gratitude on behalf of the school staff and students to the Bisaya Gyud team for their generosity. “Nagapasalamat ako sa Bisaya Gyud Program na sa taliwala man sa kadaghan sa mga tulunghaan nga nahisakop ani nga division, usa kami na napili nga recipient sa gasa sa

pagpanghatag ug bond paper [I am thankful for the Bisaya Gyud Program for choosing our school, among the many schools that belong to our school division, as a recipient of their blessing],” the school head said. Meanwhile, teachers continue to overcome the challenges of pursuing education in the new normal. For Teacher Jessebel Cabugwason, her greatest concern is not being able to attend to the learning needs of her students. “Sa normal ang education nato, maka face-to-face ta sa atong mga bata then maka focus ta sa ilahang learning needs unlike karon sa new normal. Murag di gyud kaayo accurate ang kuha sa mga bata ug mahulog na dili ilaha gyud bitawng achievement kay gitabangan man sila sa atong mga parents. [In the normal education setting, we are able to consult with our students face-toface and focus on their learning needs, unlike in the new normal setting. And because they are now forced to become more dependent on their parents, they somehow cannot achieve and acquire accomplishments on their own],” the teacher said.

Amid this, the elementary school teachers will through the challenges, with parents actively lending their cooperation for the students’ sake. But while they manage to maintain resilience in carrying out their duties perfectly, teachers in La Fortuna continue to yearn for the day the pandemic will end, where life in the school campus would be normal once again. “Sa karon unta, among gihope na sana ma end na gyud ning pandemic kay miss na namo magteach sa mga bata kay mao man gyud na ang amoang vocation [Right now, we hope for the pandemic to end. We miss teaching our kids, which is what our vocation is all about],” Teacher Jessebel stated. The ‘Bisaya Gyud’ program is aired every Saturday on select radio stations across the country and streamed live on its official Facebook page, https://www.facebook. com/bisayagyudph. Apart from providing grassroots information on the pandemic, the program also explores Bisaya music and artists, and features Bisaya success stories. (DMNR/ PIA-Caraga)