Chua ultimatum polarizes residents, teachers
BAYAMBANG CENTRAL SCHOOL ROW
BAYAMBANG- The 15-day ultimatum issued by Manila businessman William Chua to the municipal government to turn over the old school compound to him as agreed upon sparked a conflict among the parents and teachers of the Bayambang Central School.
The latest confrontation between the two groups, one for the permanent transfer of the school to the new compound built by Chua and the other for returning to the old school compound, almost ended in a physical clash last week at the old school compound.
A free-for-all almost ensued when the pro transfer group marched to the old school site and broke through the school’s gate last Tuesday morning, being secured by the anti-group with the intention of protecting the old school building from vandals in the hope that the classes will be returned there. Only familiarity with each other averted the physical confrontation.
The pro group led by Avelino Junio, vice president of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and Barangay chairman of Magsaysay where the new school is located, assembled initially at the premises of the new school before marching to the old school site, armed with placards denouncing the demand of the other group to return to the old site.
Meanwhile, the anti group led by Filipinas Alcantara, PTA president, and her supporters assembled inside the old school site while the pro group was holding its own rally at the new site.
The near frontal clash between the pros and the antis mirrors the explosive situation in Bayambang that already polarized the residents.
After their rally, the parents continued their mass action in front of the municipal building to ask Mayor Ricardo Camacho to further extend the stay of the pupils in the new school built by businessman Chua.
Alex Medrano, former PTA president with the pro transfer group, said his fellow parents are worried about the ultimatum of Chua threatening to close down the new school premises if the municipal government fails to deliver the 3.1-hectare old school site to him.
Chua and Camacho signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) two years ago mandating Chua to build a school in his own lot in Barangay Magsaysay and in exchange, Camacho will deliver the 3.1-hectare old school site on Zone II which the mayor said is owned by the local government.
Camacho then issued an executive order directing the pupils and teachers of BCS to transfer to the brand new school buildings built by Chua.
When the teachers and DepEd refused, Camacho filed a petition asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order to compel the teachers and DepEd to transfer to the new school which the court granted.
Cesar Jay Salazar, a resident of Bayambang, said he personally believes that the school built by Mr. Chua is the better site in terms of many aspects and in consideration of the welfare of the children, thus the need for the pupils to stay put in the new site. However, he said they must await the decision of the court on the appeal made by DepEd regarding the injunction issued by the court and whatever the decision it may have should be respected by all.
He said there are more parents who want their children to continue studying in the school built by Chua rather than return to their old school site but he clarified he respects the position of parents who espoused a contrary view that the old site is better which they claim is more accessible and economical for them.
One of the parents, Sheryl Melecio, said “We prefer the new school since it’s there where we need not worry about pollution or that our children might be hit by many fast-running vehicles.”
Melecio said the complaint of several parents in regard to the distance of the new school is outweighed by the advantages.
Maximo Ocampo, president of this town’s Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) and a father, attested to the hazards the old central school has posed to his children before.
He said his children have been more comfortable in the new compound.
Placards carried by the parents including the manifesto they distributed cited the new facilities like gym, canteen and others in the new site.
The parents that joined the rally claimed the new compound located in Barangay Magsaysay is more conducive to learning with its new and better facilities.
These include the 69 new classrooms as opposed to the 45 ruined classrooms of the old one; the presence of wide gymnasium and sanitary canteen; and the undisturbed location, away from flood, pollution, and sounds of passing vehicles. (LVM/Johanne Macob)
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