NATIONWIDE TRANSPORT STRIKE DISRUPTS F-TO-F CLASSES

BY: KURT G. BICOL

With jeepney drivers forced to take a stand and halt their services due to the possible Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program by the government, University of Batangas (UB) conducts classes on all levels virtually from March 6 to 7, 2023.

Jeepneys being the primary mode of transport for UBians, the administration came to a quick decision that helped not only the students, teachers, and staff who commute on a day-to-day basis but as well as the drivers who are fighting for their rights and livelihood.

Raphael de los Reyes, a driver of 26 years, shared his disagreement with the government’s plan of phasing out and upgrading the PUVs which would require an estimated P2.8 million with the government only allotting a subsidy of around P260,000 per driver.

“Hindi ko kaya bayaran yon, ayos sana kung may pera kami ang kaso sapat na nga lang sa pangaraw-araw namin ng pamilya ko tapos gagastosin ko pa sa bagong jeep ay maayos pa naman yung gamit ko.” he said.

“Pasensya na sa aming mga naapektuhan ngunit ipinaglalaban lamang namin ang aming kabuhayan at ang kinabukasan ng aming pamilya,” he added, justifying their goals.

While advancements are good for our country, UB Senior High School student, Jethro Castillo voiced out that it should be executed differently.

“I’m all for enhancements, improvements, and innovations but not in a method that would get in the way of people’s jobs and even our culture and heritage. We want our nation to advance but it shouldn’t come at the expense of anyone, moreso leaving them behind,” the commuting student expressed.

BY: HANNAH YOCHABEL F. SUDE

University of Batangas Junior High School (JHS) Department encouraged students to undergo rosary and zumba every homeroom period for their physical and spiritual wellness.

Every Monday and Tuesday at 8 a.m., there is a homeroom period and this is when the students start their day off in the school with a zumba and rosary prayer, and also, a flag ceremony is conducted. This became a requirement for the students since the daily practice of zumba and rosary praying benefited the students in improving their physical fitness and spiritual aspect.

Nhoviel E. Concepcion, a Grade 9 student said.

On Mondays at 7:50 a.m., through the paging system of the UBBC-JHS Department, rosary prayer starts which allows the students to perform one of the university’s core values which are having faith in God.

The strike was initially supposed to be a week-long halt but came to an early end as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. settled on an agreement to re-evaluate and review the PUV modernization plan.

In response to President Marcos’ statement, the President of Manibela, Mar Valbuena along with the Piston President Mody Floranda hoped that the government would come through with a revision for the program that would be favorable for them.

“We will hold President Marcos Jr. to his word, that his administration is open to study and revise the implementation of the PUV modernization program to keep the livelihood of our PUV drivers and operators,” Valbuena stated.

mixed reactions as they are now faced with an ordinary yet somehow still unfamiliar situation.

“It’s exciting pero nakakapanibago pa rin kasi over two years din kaming hindi pumasok physically. So as ironic as it may sound, we’re gonna have to adjust and revert back to what was normal, I was in grade nine the last time but now I’m in grade 12 so it’s a really big change, But it’s a change I am ready to take as I know this will elevate the quality of education without the hindrances that we used to face.”

Gliza Agabon of G12- Hogarth said.

“I do not think the rosary and zumba every homeroom period is a nuisance because I think that doing zumba helps energize students during the start of their day and that the rosary every Monday allows students to practice their faith,” Xamyer

A flag ceremony is also conducted during homeroom period and after that, the students are required to perform a zumba dance in their classrooms which is a good practice since starting the day with exercise is beneficial for the student’s health.

Students have already started having rosary and zumba every homeroom period and most of them have positive comments about this new requirement.

“The requirement of having zumba and rosary every homeroom period benefits me since I’m a person who doesn’t engage in these kinds of activities frequently, this new requirement helped me improve my well-being, both spiritually and physically,” Jose Marco Angelo V. Velasco, another Grade 9 student said.

The new requirement every homeroom period improved the students’ health, specifically their physical health and spiritual health.

Not only can they practice and improve their patriotism during flag ceremonies every homeroom period, but they can also strengthen their faith and physical fitness.