SP wants to declare Lapus persona non-grata
LINGAYEN–Provincial officials are incensed at Education Secretary Jesli Lapus.
Members of the provincial board are, in fact, considering declaring Lapus persona non grata to Pangasinan for ignoring appeals over the unauthorized teachers’ guidebook project of the provincial government and the administrative sanctions imposed on the two schools division superintendents.
Fourth District Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario said provincial officials feel slighted by Lapus “for not even giving a space of consideration to our requests”.
The board earlier forwarded a manifesto addressed to Lapus while Governor Amado Espino Jr., Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias-Agabas and teachers signed similar requests for the secretary to reconsider his move to transfer Dr. Alma Ruby Torio and Dr. Armando Aquino, schools division superintendents of Pangasinan 1 and 2, respectively.
Both Torio and Aquino initiated the project on special guidebooks for teachers, which the provincial government supported by funding the production and distribution of an initial 47,000 copies for public school teachers in Pangasinan.
Lapus was reportedly annoyed because his office was not consulted about the project and that the production of the guidebooks did not pass through the standard review by DepEd’s committee.
“Malinis naman ang intensyon ng provincial government tungkol diyan. Kung may konting lapses nagmakaawa naman na kami na sana huwag ng ilipat yong dalawang superintendents pero wala rin,” Rosario said.
Sixth District Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr., who is leading the passage of the proposed resolution, told The PUNCH in a separate interview that “Yes, we have prepared it but I haven’t filed it because I want to consult the governor first about it.”
Reacting to the board’s plan, Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan said “it’s up to the board”, adding that the governor respects their independence.
Baraan did say that Lapus “might have overreacted” on the issue saying “Maybe he should have reprimanded them only but not to resort to such drastic move.”
Torio was finally reassigned to Dagupan City as its schools division superintendent last April 7, a move that’s considered a demotion since it covers only the city while her original posting involved congressional districts 1, 2 and 3.
Torio did not answer calls and text messages of The PUNCH about the issue.
Aquino, meanwhile, opted for early retirement rather than be assigned in San Carlos City schools division, also a demotion in jurisdiction since his original assignment covered congressional districts 4, 5 and 6.
Torio was replaced by Dr. Aurora Domingo, previously the superintendent of Dagupan, while Aquino was replaced by Dr. Viraluz Raguindin, formerly assigned in Urdaneta City schools division.#
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