nudoveritas the power to write is the power to achieve
Vol. 26 No. 1 The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X Division of Cagayan de Oro City Region X October 2020
CDOC students protest online on academic issues as classes start in new normal NEWS | PAGE 2
Shackled EDITORIAL | PAGE 4-5
On the Brink of Hope FEATURE | PAGE 8
RISE OF THE FALLEN RS volleyboys comeback journey in 2019 SPORTS | PAGE 9
HAPHAZARDLY OPTIMISTIC EDITORIAL PAGE 10
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nudoveritas
NEWS
Vol. 26 No. 1 | October 2020 | The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X
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CDO-LGU prioritizes mental, spiritual health amid pandemic The Psychosocial Division of the city conducted various approaches to help lessen the issues regarding mental health during the pandemic period starting from April.
According to the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), the current pandemic has caused a significant increase in stress to everyone especially to frontliners, so, the officials conducted online development sessions for them. City Psychologist Jayee Leonen conducted the online sessions through Google Meet shouldered by the Human Resource and Management Office and CSWD. “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary compassion at this point of our lives where we are faced with challenges everyday. Let us all promote a more hopeful and positive mindset,” said Leonen in the local news bulletin. Leonen also urged the public to give importance to the mental health of every member of the family so that they can avoid getting into bad habits or “bisyo.” Online webinars like Mental Health and Psychological Resilience of Learners during the Covid-19 Pandemic were held by registered Guidance Counselor, Ms. Juvy Turno-Importante on July 3.
VIRTUAL YELLS
CDOC students protest online on academic issues as classes start in new normal DANICA FABRO
Students in Cagayan de Oro City expressed their concerns online as the opening of classes nears with the new modalities the Department of Education (DepEd) and their schools implemented with the ‘new normal’ intact. The views of the students are posted through social media platforms, commonly Twitter and Facebook. “We learners feel like we are not heard with our concerns,” tweeted Cedrick Del Carmen, a student from Bugo National High School. School opening DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones announced on early June the start of classes will be on August 24, while private schools can start their classes by June to August, with a new set of learning modalities such as online learning or blended learning. With private schools in CDOC, such as Xavier University, starting classes earlier than public schools, students are concerned with their online learning modality. “Maybe, they [teachers] thought we can learn through screens,” XU-SHS student Gabriel Castillo disclosed. Major concerns According to Senator Sonny Angara, the lack of affordable and stable internet connectivity and the issue of the curriculum and educational materials especially use in the blended learning methods are the two major concerns.
Contrarily, DepEd pressed “these modifications on certain policies and practices were necessary steps in adapting to the “new normal” while still remaining true to the framework of Sulong EduKalidad and Education Futures.” However, countless calls for help from students of low-income families have also shown concerns regarding the expenses. “Poverty always has been a hindrance to education, especially now,” posted BNHS student Bea Cruz. Push for academic freeze With the major concerns stated, students push for an academic freeze for this school year. “All we ask is for the department [DepEd] to sympathize with our needs especially in these trying times,” expressed Allen Pontillas on Facebook. With these problems occurring, the students continue to express their opinions and demand to be heard by the education department.
Locals in rural areas experience loss of information after ABS-CBN shutdown DANICA FABRO
After media giant ABS-CBN was forced to shut down on May 5, citizens living in the rural areas of Cagayan de Oro faced loss of information due. The said network is one of their primary source of daily news and updates.
Art by DAN JUBAY
JUANA, a student from a low-income family living in a rural area in CDOC, stresses as she opens her computer with no internet. Photo by DANICA FABRO
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All we ask is for DepEd to sympathize with our needs especially in these trying times
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DANICA FABRO
ALLEN PONTILLAS
the power to write is the power to achieve
NEWS P3
Task Force eyes local businesses slowly reopening in MGCQ DANICA FABRO
As business establishments in the city were recently approved to reopen, CDOC Task Force reminded them to follow the local omnibus guidelines under the modified general community quarantine to minimize physical interactions between customers and workers. According to the local government, the business establishments covered by the guidelines include spas and massage clinics, gyms, fitness centers, internet cafes, “pisonets,” barbershops, salons, nail service establishments, “ukay-ukay” stores, billiard halls, tutorial or review centers, bars, videoke joints, and beach resorts, and others. Common provisions like the mandatory use of face masks, physical distancing, hand disinfection or sanitizing areas, body temperature inspections, foot baths, the required barangay exit passes, health clearances for their workers are mandatory to all the businesses and seperate specific guidelines are also given for there are businesses that differ from others.
“These are very hard times and reopening businesses is a big help to the public and the ones operating the business, just make sure the health protocols are followed,” citizen Danilo Ugdiman uttered. Task force officials also stated to display their business permits, provide a garbage disposal system approved by the City Local Environment and Natural Resources (CLENRO), logbooks to record the names and contact information of clients. “If these establishments do not follow these guidelines, then they have to face the prospects of being sanctioned or even closed down,” the task force warned.
STORES in Malaybalay City start to re-open in August as COVID-19 Task Force permits it in MGCQ areas. Photo by DANICA FABRO
Locals comment on barter trade labeled ‘illegal’ by DTI DANICA FABRO
Art by JAMES PUNSALAN
According to the residents of Barangay Bugo, installing TV Plus has been a big help for updates and entertainment to most families. “It is now very hard to keep track with what is happening nationally now that our TV Plus is of no use,” Gimelina resident Ladia Bermas texted in Cebuano. Other families like the Ugdiman family said they rely on ABS-CBN especially TV Patrol nationwide and TV Patrol Northern Mindanao. “My family and I always have been Kapamilyas, what happened really is a big loss,” father of the family Marco Ugdiman expressed. Concerns regarding the media giant’s shutdown remain adamant to residents, questioning if they really had any violations. “This is an obvious attack to press freedom, I hope people realize this as well,” tweeted by a netizen.
People from the Cagayan de Oro City barter community expressed their opinions regarding the said trade act as Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) labeled it illegal and violated tax laws on early July. According to DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, barter trade is only allowed in three (3) areas, namely in Siasi and Jolo in Sulu and Bongao in Tawi-Tawi and outside those areas, barter trading across borders is not allowed. “This is what I meant as illegal—those done in other areas or if done online and cross border, or as a regular business in the course of trade—as these are not registered and not taxed,” he clarified. However, locals in CDOC noticed the “mishap warning” from the department and attested that “everything
is now being taxed.” “Lahat nalang ata tina-tax ng gobyerno, kahit wala namang money involved sa barter,” expressed Inday Sancheja, who started barter trading in June. Moreover, Lopez clarified that local barter for personal transactions is not required to register as long as it is not done as a regular trade and business. As a clarification, what Lopez stated as illegal only is barter trade which cross borders and is done online and not registered.
BY THE NUMBERS
56.71% As of August 12, DOH City Health Department of Northern Mindanao recorded 15 newly recovered patients from COVID-19, making Region 10’s recovery rate at 56.71 percent. A total of 456 recovered patients are from the region. Cagayan de Oro obtained three patients out of the hospitals, all according to a report from DOH-CHDNM.
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OPINION
nudoveritas
Vol. 26 No. 1 | October 2020 | The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X
EDITORIAL
SHACKLED July 10 witnessed the House of Representatives’ refusal to grant ABS-CBN another 25-year franchise after a 70-11 committee vote adopting the Technical Working Group’s report to deny their bid. House Speaker Cayetano said it is a conscience vote; yet is it even conscientious in closing a franchise with no clear violations, and in turn endangering the livelihood of more than 11,000 employees in the middle of a pandemic? The report consisted of; the questionable citizenship of former chair Eugenio Lopez III; the use of Philippine depositary receipts that violated the constitutional prohibition against foreign ownership of mass media; the alleged tax evasion and tax shields; the network’s assets reacquired after Marcos’ regime; the political bias during election season;
and the labor issue— all of which were in Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta’s summation following the 12 hearings. However, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate revealed in his own summation that all of the concerned government agencies have already resolved the aforementioned issues— the Department of Justice, the Securities and
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It was not until the country carried out a revolution did the freedom of the press escape from its shackles. Art by SHAUN PAO
PRIOTY LIST MELIZA ROCAT
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It could be anyone, student, farmer, the ordinary Filipino.
Intent to Cease In spite of progressive groups’ and lawmakers’ clamor, President Duterte signed the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) into law last July 3. His political allies were quick to cover, of course— applauding the president’s decision to sign it notwithstanding opposition, and saying that it was high-time for such a law. Yet, this only holds freedom of expression and dissent by the neck. In a virtual press briefing, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr stated that those who should feel threatened are the ones who support terrorists and armed struggle, and that the ATA does not include those who protest peacefully. Section 4 pointed that protests that will not be tagged as terrorism are those that are “not intended to cause death or serious physical harm to a person, to endanger a person’s life, or to create a serious risk to public safety.” However, if the government deems for the protests and dissent as intentionally harmful, then the act would be considered terrorism and subject to punishment. Former Supreme Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno also pointed out Section 29 of the ATA, which permits warrantless arrest and detention for 14 days and extendable to 10. This also gives the Anti-Terror Council power to determine who to arrest instead of the court; thus, this law protects no one, not even the lawmakers which approved of its passing.
The ATA will only heighten the government’s power to erase whatever dissent comes their way, and while it puts every Filipino in danger of being suspected of terrorism, it is even more so in the case of journalists, activists, and student publications. On Twitter, Gusa Regional High School-X alumnus and University of the Philippines graduate Rene Principe said: “I hope makita sa akong uban GRSHS schoolmates (ug uban taga Cagayan de Oro) unsa ka delikado ang Anti-terror law … Dili baya sayon nga mamahaw ug “hate-comments”, and to think naa baya mi schoolmates sa UP nga gipangdakop jud illegally for speaking up. This law will only heighten such incidents. Do or say something the government deems harmful to their egotistic interests, and they will be punished—it could be anyone, student, farmer, the ordinary Filipino. No exemptions.
OPINION P5
the power to write is the power to achieve
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BY THE NUMBERS
OUT OF
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Mindanawons support ABS-CBN franchise renewal. Source: Social Weather Stations
Exchange Commission, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Commission on Elections, and the Department of Labor and Employment— respectively. Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque even went far as to say that the denial of the franchise was the “decision of the Filipino people”— then again, the Social Weather Stations survey conducted July 3-6 showed that three out of four Filipinos wanted ABS-CBN’s franchise to be renewed. But seeing that President Duterte has his own personal feelings against ABS-CBN according to Senator Bong Go (“The grievances of the president against ABS-CBN are not shallow… If you are mean to the president, he will be meaner to you. If you are nice to the president, then he will be nicer to you.”), as well as repeatedly stating
to hinder the network’s franchise renewal several times (“If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan, I am sorry. I will see to it that you are out.”), it is nothing short of unexpected. Though perhaps that is the exact same reason why there is a sense of déjà vu washing over following the HOR’s decision. After all, the same thing happened in 1972. The last time press freedom suffered a severe blow was under the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, where he authorized the military to take over the assets of ABS-CBN, as well as several other media outlets in the country during the first week of Martial Law. In an attempt to justify his sequestration, Marcos stated in the Letter of Instruction that the media outlets that he had shut down were “engaged in subversive
Preaching Water, Drinking Wine Five months into the lockdown, and the Philippines has reached 100,000 cases. Frontliners are calling for a timeout to recalibrate. President Duterte, in his nightly address to the public on August 2, said that he has been praying for a vaccine. There are no plans, only the government’s clear incompetence and the speedy doubling of cases. “We are not incompetents here because we are not doctors. Kayo dapat ang...You should do the soul-searching. Kayo ang makatulong sana at wala kayong ginagawa, puro magreklamo...what can I do?” Duterte said, furthering by saying that these healthcare workers are apparently demeaning the government. In Cagayan de Oro, the number of cases have increased to 507 as of September 17, despite Mayor Oscar Moreno announcing last month that the city has been handling the pandemic well, with only 9.34% Critical Care Utilization. Fortunately, the Polymedic Medical Plaza received P500-M worth of medical and laboratory supplies, along with a
reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machine. This should fortify the testing capabilities not only of the city, but Northern Mindanao as well. Moreno also stated that the city does not need to be on lockdown and that the public should adopt the minimal health protocols. However, the same cannot be said definitely in the case of other local government units. With the administration clearly lacking empathy and putting all the burden on the frontliners’ shoulders, it is no surprise that the country’s curve has not flattened. Add to that the Department of Health’s magical doctoring of results to appear as if the number of recoveries has
heightened in an attempt to alleviate the public’s worries. But there will be no such alleviation until concrete plans are made and put into action, and the government stops belittling healthcare workers and get rid of their warlike mindsets. So far, the Philippines’ status on this pandemic is akin to a rollercoaster that only goes up. And unless these officials stop preaching water and drinking wine, not only will the public bear the brunt of their incompetency, but the frontliners as well.
activities against the Government”, discredited authorities, and propagated news that promoted the Communist movement. After that, all remaining media that were allowed to air and run print issues were owned by Marcos cronies. Public criticism was silenced, and the information Filipinos got then were all controlled by a dictator who could easily broadcast whatever he deemed to be the truth. It was not until the country carried out a revolution did the freedom of the press escape from its shackles. One must remember Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution: “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
BEHIND THE LENS MELIZA ROCAT
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There will be no such alleviation until concrete plans are made and put into action.
nudoveritas editorialboard SY 2020-2021
Editor-in-Chief JAMES PUNSALAN Associate Editor MELIZA ROCAT Managing Editors DAN JUBAY DANICA FABRO Circulating Manager PRINCE JANINO CALIO KYLA TIFANNY JAVIER News Editor DANICA MAE FABRO Editorial Editor MELIZA ROCAT Feature Editor NICOLE BONSILAO Science Editor DESIREE POJAS Sports Editors JOHN PAUL ESTARES IVY SILAGAN Layout Artists/ Illustrators DAN JUBAY SHAUN ARTHUR PAO JAMES PUNSALAN School Paper Adviser JASMINE JOY TIEMPO School Journalism Coordinator ESTORMEO SERENA Consultant BRENDA GALARPE
DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed by the Nudo Veritas Editorial Board do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of thos in the administration of Gusa Regional Science High School-X . Any content provided by our writers are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.
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FEATURES
LIFE
DESIREE POJAS
When the lively avenues of Cagayan de Oro became still when the pandemic hit, staying at home was a privilege only to those who could afford three meals a day. Now months after the first case, and the streets bustling once again, students and educators alike are now preparing to learn within the new normal. Despite cries to delay classes due to problems concerning financial needs and alarming unemployment spike, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones reemphasized that classes would be on August 24, ‘whatever form it is.’ However, as the days passed by and the start of the school year neared, worry envelop most of the students from Gusa Regional Science High School-X (GRSHS-X). As much as how prepared the system is in handling the crisis, for Amor Bagay, modular learning would be a challenge, especially when juggling responsibilities all together, “I have the most difficulty with Math, it’s different when you can immediately ask your classmates and teacher.” Unlike Amor, Stephanie Dawn Gador, now a month into online classes, said everything is ‘just okay’ with sullen eyes. With the pressure of complying with demands, and homework to be done on a deadline, she mentioned how she would have skipped the school year instead. Be it with modules or on screen, education is a stepping-stone to success. Yet with the underprivileged, longing for education in a pandemic without a penny to spend, and every penny to earn, a bowl of rice may be more rewarding than going to a pisonet. With President Duterte prohibiting face-to-face classes until 2021, or until there is a vaccine, all classes will be through blended and distance learning. Despite this, there is still an uproar for an academic freeze. As the pleas ring louder, who would have thought education would become a privileged risk? With lives on the line as COVID-19 confirmed cases hit more than a hundred thousand, and a shift to distance learning would mean a drastic adjustment, into the life online would be a path we all have to embark on to end this agony.
nudoveritas
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Vol. 26 No. 1 | October 2020 | The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X
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uxury
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A great divide is imposed upon Filipino students. DepEd has wagered the traditional learning system on monumental changes in pursuit to open SY 2020-2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The “new normal” for most is considered “anti-poor” because of the financial stress that is laid on the people with little to no access to technology and those with difficulties learning on their own. The gap between who can afford them and who cannot is far too great.
With the growing number of cases that spiked from the first 3 cases to a grueling 119,460 as of August 6, 2020, 165 of those are locals from Cagayan de Oro City. Over 20 million learners enrolled for the new school year and as compared to the 27,770,260 enrollees last school year 2019-2020, it is sufficient enough to draw a conclusion that with this massive shift, not everyone can sustain their education financially and most schools find it difficult to adjust with this transition. Many schools are struggling to reach out to their learners. Gusa Regional Science High School-X has exhausted all possible options that are
Art by SHAUN PAO | Page Design by DAN JUBAY
NICOLE BONSILAO
suitable and convenient for their learners and utilized mediums of communication and learning in lieu of the traditional learning system. “It is a struggle to deliver the content of the lessons to the students in adapting the distance learning modality” stated Ms. Rosa Lynne Almonte, a teacher from the institution. Technology is imperative. In a 2019 survey from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), 82.3 percent of Filipino households lack internet connection. Although however broadly it is used, technology is also absent in many parts of the country. It is a convenience that not everyone can afford and attain, leaving those learners cut off from the line of connection with education. There are so many challenges faced by people in the process of adjustment. Although in any way they adjust, there will always be factors that will hinder them from learning and those people who are privileged enough to see through the end of school year will always be one step ahead and thus draw the line of poverty that excuses everything else, like being unable to attain education in these trying times.
P8 FEATURES
the power to write is the power to achieve
hope on the brink of
NICOLE BONSILAO
It was when the coronavirus hit that meant loss of income for millions of Filipino workers. Every day signified a struggle. Yet even after five months since the pandemic started, the difficulty did not end. Quarantined The once bustling city was in fiasco. For 35-year-old plaque maker Charlie, this was a harsh reminder of the hardships to come. The crisis revealed the gap between the societies. The ugly truth prevailed, showing how comfort is only available to those who can afford it. When jobs reopened, Charlie found grounds for hope once again. However, they would be ‘football-ed’ from work if they were unable to report immediately. Charlie expressed his despair, “How about the food we eat three times a day?” Five months, and counting... Even with the government reinstating strict lockdowns and community quarantine protocols, confirmed COVID-19 cases soared to 115,000. Without a concrete plan to rely on, even the frontliners are pleading for pause as the system is on the edge of collapse. In Cagayan de Oro, unemployment is still at its peak. Now cases climbed to 169, the general public shivers in fear as new cases continuously pour out.
Page Design by DAN JUBAY
Still struggling to make ends meet, Charlie expressed gratitude. Although some sidelines eased the pain in his back, it is still not sufficient enough to sustain a family. An attempt to recovery The likes of Charlie cannot easily remove themselves from the margin of poverty in this crisis. As 1.5 million Filipinos are starting to dive back into poverty because of COVID-19, there calls an immediate change to help those in need. However, as life shifted online, the number of online businesses has skyrocketed. With little to no signs of a breath of relief, it is within our efforts that the ones like Charlie can overcome the plague of difficulties, thrive, and live a better life. After all, if we stood in their shoes, we would know where to stand. Beyond the numbers--where the slums shiver with a pang of hunger, on the brink of hope lie those who clamor for a difference.
nudoveritas
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Vol. 26 No. 1 | October 2020 | The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X
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SPORTS
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FALLEN of the
IVY JEAN SILAGAN AND JOHN PAUL ESTARES
RS volleyboys comeback journey in 2019
The RS power spikers crushed the hopes of Lapasan National High School (LNHS) as they secured their first championship title, 25-20, 16-25, 25-17 in East 1 District Men’s Volleyball Finals on September 7, 2019 at Capitol University Basic Education Department covered court.
YEARin review 2019 District Meet
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2019 YMCA Invitational Tournament
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This marks their resurgence as the spikers lost their ticket bound to Division level on the previous year against Capitol University Basic Education Department. Like any other student-athletes, the team had to endure grueling trainings and balancing schoolworks especially in an academic-centered institution. “We do a lot of warm up, drills, plays, and cool down for 3 hours from 5-8 PM every weekdays,” middle spiker Elrenn Oro said. When asked about how they manage to balance ball life and academics, team captain Urbina explained, “We put importance in school first especially during exam week and if we have quizzes tomorrow or long schoolworks, you can be excused from training.” But the spikers also have their fair share of internal challenges within the group. The leader admitted to having difficulties in
adjusting to the new pool of players. “The new lineup consists of younger players and most of them are not familiar with our system yet so there are times where we are not united in court,” said Urbina. He also shared their constant struggle with poor practice areas, as it may affect the team’s performance negatively. Nonetheless, as the spikers regrouped with some new recruits, the team’s chemistry strengthened and was able to endure their tough journey as they conquered the title. “I thought we would have difficult times to adjust with this new lineup, but thankfully the team made use of our onemonth long training,” explained Oro. With their current small-ball roster, the spikers should maintain the phase and momentum to dominate more games in the future.
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All the hardworks have payed off... IAN URBINA
Page Design by JAMES PUNSALAN
EDITORIAL
Despite the number of COVID-19 cases continuing to surge, the Department of Education (DepEd) remains unrelenting towards the opening of classes this August. Yet one must ask the readiness of the country for such, otherwise, Deped has just become out of touch with the public. Last June, the department endorsed the use of blended learning—a combination of online learning and learning materials to be delivered to students’ homes—stating that the modality has been used for decades, in response to Vice President Leni Robredo’s doubts on whether the country was prepared enough for this. “We have been doing distance learning, blended learning for decades and decades now … We are not inventing anything new,” DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said. However, just because something has been done since time immemorial does not justify nor reassure that it is effective for students, especially those of the lower class. Amid the pandemic, families struggle with income and employment— with online learning, people are already selling off their possessions in order to acquire laptops, Wi-Fi, and other necessary devices. The worst-case scenario would be akin to the high school student from Albay, who took his own life after apologizing to his parents for the additional expenses. Modular learning would leave the responsibility to the parents on how to teach their child the learning material delivered to them, or in some cases, how the student would teach themselves the material without a proper guide.
Art by SHAUN PAO
This would be challenging in households that are not conducive to learning due to various reasons. Face-to-face classes, limited or not, would prove to be difficult, even if it is the best way for students to learn. It does not matter if only 4% out of 67,000 confirmed cases were children, and that there were only 16 COVID-related deaths among youth as Briones said. Seeing as how the government is currently handling the health crisis, rushing physical learning would only lead to a spike in cases—and it is not as if our curve is flattening. In fact, it looks to be the very opposite. The pandemic makes it obvious the shortcomings of the Philippines’ education system, as well as a division between the privileged and the less fortunate. DepEd should be reminded of the No Child Left Behind policy—thus, the needs of those who experience the brunt of this pandemic should be attended to first. With that policy in mind, it is imperative that all students have equal access to quality education, thus the need for solutions that will cater towards every learner regardless of social status. After all, education is a right, and not a privilege. Nevertheless, it is not only the education sector that must strive
for it, but the government as well. In order for the public to revert back to the most feasible learning modality—face-to-face, physical learning—it must be seen to it that mass testing be carried out and other strong medical solutions be enforced. One must remember DepEd’s Mission—to protect and promote the
right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culturebased and complete basic education. No matter how prepared they say they are, if the youth does not have access to it—especially those of the lowerclass—then starting this academic year will all be for naught.
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The pandemic makes it obvious the divide between the privileged and the less fortunate.
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HAPHAZARDLY OPTIMISTIC
