DAVAO ORIENTAL – In the continuous bid to push for a peaceful and developed province, the members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) have tackled critical issues surrounding the province’s peace and order as they convened during the council’s fourth quarterly meeting on Thursday, December 6.
Among the long list of topics discussed during the recently held council meeting was the operation of the “Salugpongan” schools here. These schools which are being supported and funded by national and international non-government organizations, have been operating in hinterland Mandaya communities here identified to have less access to educational facilities.
Over the years, government officials and concerned citizens have been raising their deep concerns against these schools which are allegedly teaching students “left-leaning” and anti-government communist ideologies.
As a result, members of the council have passed down a resolution requesting the Department of Education Central Office for the cancellation of the permits of Salugpongan schools operating in the province which have not complied with the DepEd’s K to 12 curriculum.
However, Philippine Army’s 28th Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Miguel Ramon said that more has to be done rather than just closing down the Salugpongan schools. “If we do not provide alternative solutions to provide students access to education, the problem would still be there. We have to give more attractive educational services to these communities,” he stressed, as he proposed for a unified Peace and Order Roadmap in the province to hasten the June 2019 deadline of the President to end the communist insurgency.
67th Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Jacob Thaddeus Obligado said that although the expansion of Salugpongan schools in his area of responsibility in the province’s first district is unlikely, there is a need to check policies revolving the operation of these schools.
He added that there should be an active coordination between the DepEd and the Local Government Units in terms of the establishment of schools. “Prior to granting permits (to schools), there should be an endorsement coming from the local chief executives,” he stressed.
The Department of Education Regional Office, in a recently held council meeting in Davao City, reported that they have also been constructing government schools in hinterland areas to compete with the Salugpongans which resulted in the dwindling of enrollees in the Salugpongans.
Meanwhile, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Yvette Sunga said that the PPOC Executive Committee has adopted the proposed creation of an Oversight Committee consisting five subcommittees, namely infrastructure, economic, social, good governance, and information. The said committee will work closely with the Provincial Development Council (PDC) to harmonize efforts in all development programs. She said this will also ensure the proper coordination and feedback mechanism among concerned agencies in the program implementation.
Safeguarding Infrastructure Projects
Meanwhile, with the robust infrastructure projects being currently implemented all over the province, newly-installed Commander of the 701st Brigade Col. Manuel Sequitin, informed the local chief executives and concerned agencies about the Philippine Army’s Critical Infrastructure Protection and Security Operations (CIPSO) – a military program that ensures that the LGUs will be able to complete infrastructure projects without disturbance and impediments caused by the activities of the New People’s Army.
He urged mayors to inform the military of the ongoing road projects for them to be able to strategize deployment of available forces or establish temporary bases to safeguard the project. He also encouraged them to park heavy equipment near detachments, company command post, or near battalion headquarters.
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, who chairs the PPOC, called on to all government agencies and offices and work together in all development efforts. He also urged everyone to strengthen collaboration and partnerships to address issues surrounding peace and order. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
