News Sense
The irony of September celebrations
By Hilda M. Austria
SEPTEMBER–a month when the countdown to our long Christmas celebration begins; it is when we start to feel the Christmassy breeze. To the Department of Education (DepEd), it has been made the month of celebrating their noble profession, as educators. President Benigno Aquino III declared September 5 to October 5 as the ‘National Teacher’s Month’.
For the Philippine National Police (PNP), it’s the time of the year to formulate and implement measures in line with the ‘National Crime Prevention Week’ slated on September 1 to 7 by virtue of Presidential proclamation no. 461 series 1994.
However, the carnage at the Pangasinan National High School (PNHS) proved the two celebrations as ironic. The teachers who could’ve been celebrating this month have become victims, and the perpetrator of the crime, an active police officer, is part of the institution that is charged with the task to prevent commission of crimes. And what makes the story painfully shocking is to learn that the cause of this heinous crime was the reported inability of the teachers to pay the perpetrator, PO3 Domino Aipio.
I admit I remain in awe of some of my former teachers for I regard them highly being the second authorities I’ve known and with whom I grew up with, after my parents in my growing up years. Their chosen career to help mold young minds to become better persons as teachers is a commitment requires the heart to strive in a difficult profession. That they choose to stay in their country even if they are aware that greener pastures await them abroad, is most admirable.
I grieve over the PNHS incident. It is unfortunate that these tragic events had to happen first before their unresolved issues could be recognized.
I support DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro’s request for a deeper and wider probe, particularly on the moneylending issue among teachers – the root cause of the crime that marred the supposed revelry for the teaching force in Pangasinan.
But I also challenge Luistro to include the other ‘open-secrets’ in the agency in the investigation before another tragedy happens all because of DepEd’s inaction on issues like the ‘items for sale’ and the ‘palakasan system’.
The DepEd should ruminate on the appeals and complaints of the public school teachers. For instance, teachers expressed their angst over the payment of their salaries on a monthly basis (instead of the usual 15-30 schedule) because it makes budgeting for their needs difficult, forcing them to borrow from loan sharks. The decry their meager salaries because their take-home pays after all the mandatory deductions, and their ‘abonos’ (when their poor students cannot pay contributions) and the costs of seminars they are made to shoulder, do not leave them enough to live on decently.
On the other hand, the PNP that has been suffering from a negative image for the past decade, even as they endeavor to gain the trust and confidence of the communities, are up against great odds. Given their present insufficient manpower ratio, theirs is a difficult challenge.
I have to commend the Pangasinan police for leading a prayer rally following the PNHS incident, turning to God for divine intervention and guidance, realizing their limitations as mere human beings, that despite their efforts, with the best intentions to prevent crimes, they are unable to control the minds and actions of men (even if they are from among them).
May this be a practice for every law enforce and public servant, to constantly pray for our province’s peace and order, for in praying there is an assurance. “And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you…” (Psalm 50:15)
Pointing fingers alone on whom to blame does not help our situation.
Instead, let us all learn from this tragedy. let’s pray that next year’s September revelries would have a more significant meaning to the PNP and DepEd as they look back to this year’s incident.
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