TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Northern Samar headed by Governor Edwin Ongchuan conducted its ‘Kauswagan Caravan’ in the island town of Biri, benefitting more than 3,000 residents of various services offered during the whole-day event.
During the caravan, held last Friday (March 22), services such as medical, dental, veterinary, legal, counseling, and other basic services, were provided by various provincial and national offices.
Also, food packs, water containers, toys, school supplies, farming tools, seedlings, blankets, fire control demonstrations, and first aid training, among others, were also provided during the caravan.
“As the Kauswagan Caravan continues, we are also strengthening the culture of mutual help and support for our fellow Nortehanons,” a statement from the provincial government said.
The Kauswagan caravan is a regular barangayan event initiated by Gov. Ongchuan providing essential services to the villagers, especially those living in remote barangays. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
ORMOC CITY – A farmer is currently recovering from injuries at the Biliran Provincial Hospital after being hacked and stabbed by his elder brother in Barangay Villa Cornejo, Kawayan, Biliran.
The victim, Joel Matencero, 53, was attacked by his elder brother, Jerry Matencero, 60, in an incident believed to stem from a land dispute between the siblings.
According to the initial police investigation, the attack occurred around 4:50 pm while Joel was watching a basketball game near the barangay’s basketball court. Jerry approached Joel wielding a bladed weapon known locally as a “sundang” and viciously hacked him, targeting his head, without any provocation.
Despite the severe blow to the head, Joel managed to flee, but he stumbled and fell on the pavement, where Jerry proceeded to stab him in the stomach.
Following the assault, Joel was rushed to the rural health unit for medical attention, while Jerry was apprehended in front of his residence.
Upon his arrest, Jerry was taken to the Kawayan municipal police station and charged with frustrated murder.
The authorities cited the ongoing land dispute between the brothers as the primary motive behind the incident.
The suspect is now detained at the local police station and was charged for frustrated murder. (ROBERT DEJON)
ORMOC CITY– It was first to be a road accident but was later discovered to be involving a shooting incident.
Thus said Police Captain Realthur Tabernero, police chief of Palompon, Leyte, referring to an incident that took place along a national road in Barangay San Juan last Saturday (March 23) at about 2:50 am.
The victim, identified as Cipriano Ochea,31, a cook at a local eatery, was found blooded beside a road whose motorcycle was said to have hit a mango tree.
However upon investigation, it was discovered that the victim had a gunshot wound in the head and other parts of his body.
Members of a forensic unit of the Ormoc city police found two empty shells of an undetermined firearm on the crime scene.
Tabernero said that they are now conducting a thorough investigation over the motive and the identity of the suspects in the killing of the victim who has no known enemy in his area of work.
The victim’s cadaver was brought to a local funeral parlor for post mortem examination. (ROBERT DEJON)
MAINTAIN PEACE AND SECURITY. About 300 cops were deployed across the region to help secure the public as the nation observes the Holy Week. Likewise, these cops are also to secure tourist destinations, B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, police regional director, said. (PNP-8)
They are also to secure tourist spots in EV
MAINTAIN PEACE AND SECURITY. About 300 cops were deployed across the region to help secure the public as the nation observes the Holy Week. Likewise, these cops are also to secure tourist destinations, B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, police regional director, said. (PNP-8)
TACLOBAN CITY– About 296 policemen have been deployed across the region in observance of the Holy Week and for the coming summer season.
No less than the police regional director, B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, led in the deployment of these police officers on Thursday (March 22) to their respective assignments.
According to Pawid, these cops would be deployed to different churches all over the region for the Lenten season and for the coming summer, to different tourist spots, terminal hubs, and other places of convergence.
These police officers are to enhance local forces’ presence and visibility in patrol operations, which are crucial in the maintenance of peace and order in communities, the police regional director emphasized.
Likewise, he reminded the troops to be self-aware while performing their duties in public and to exercise personal safety.
“I hope that you have inculcated in your mind all the standard operating procedures and guidance to be able to perform your duty. Just do your job and do it properly,” he said during the simple deployment ceremony also attended by his deputy for operations, Col. Salvador Alacyang, Fr. Michael Kirby Lauron, and Pastor Douglas Macalalag. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
Just a few weeks from now and hundreds, thousands of education graduates will again troop upstage to receive their diplomas, marking the end of their academic, undergraduate struggles. Soon, they will join the teacher applicants seeking employment in the department. But it’s a huge number they will be joining in, because of every few vacant slots in DepEd, thousands of applicants are waiting to grab them.
The scarcity of teaching vacancies within the Department of Education (DepEd) has become a pressing issue, as the number of applicants far outweighs the available positions. With thousands of highly qualified individuals vying for a limited number of teaching slots, the competition has become fierce, leaving many aspiring educators facing the harsh reality of unemployment. This trend not only reflects the oversaturation of the teaching profession but also sheds light on the broader challenges within the education sector, such as budget constraints and the lack of resources.
One of the primary factors contributing to the limited number of teaching vacancies in DepEd is the high demand for quality education in the Philippines. As the country continues to prioritize the improvement of its educational system, the need for competent and dedicated teachers has never been greater. This has led to an influx of applicants from various academic backgrounds, all hoping to secure a stable and rewarding career in education. However, the limited budget allocated for hiring new teachers has made it increasingly difficult for DepEd to accommodate the growing number of applicants.
Moreover, the stringent requirements and qualifications set by DepEd for teaching positions further narrow the pool of eligible candidates, making it even more challenging for aspiring teachers to land a job. With the increasing competition and the emphasis on specialization and professional development, many qualified individuals are left out in the cold, despite their fervent desire to impart knowledge and contribute to the country’s educational system. This highlights the need for a more inclusive and accessible hiring process that considers the diverse talents and experiences of all applicants.
This scarcity of teaching vacancies in DepEd poses a significant challenge for both aspiring educators and the education sector as a whole. While the demand for quality education continues to rise, the limited number of available positions and the rigorous selection process have made it increasingly difficult for teachers to secure employment. DepEd should adopt hiring measures that can accommodate the growing number of qualified individuals seeking to make a difference in the field of education.
The realm of tertiary education in the country is plagued with an unprecedented problem that threatens the very foundation of academic excellence and intellectual growth. It stems from a systemic failure long before students set foot on college campuses–from the elementary and high school classrooms, under the shadow of that controversial policy: “No one left behind.” While the intention behind this policy might have been noble, its implementation gave birth to a generation of students who are ill-equipped for the rigors of higher education.
It’s an alarming reality that many students entering tertiary institutions in the Philippines lack fundamental literacy and comprehension skills. This deficiency is not a result of their shortcomings but rather a flawed educational approach that prioritizes quantity over quality. DepEd’s “no one left behind” mantra, while aiming to promote inclusivity, has inadvertently set students up for failure by advancing them through the ranks regardless of their academic readiness.
As these inadequately prepared students enter tertiary education, they grapple with coursework and materials beyond their comprehension. Professors are left to pick up the pieces, attempting to bridge the chasm between what students should know and what they understand. The burden falls not only on educators but also on the integrity of the entire tertiary education system, which is forced to adapt to accommodate the deficiencies inherited from earlier stages of schooling.
Moreover, the repercussions of DepEd’s policy extend far beyond the confines of academia. In a knowledge-based economy where competitiveness is paramount, a workforce lacking in foundational skills poses a significant threat to national progress and development. The inability to read, comprehend, and analyze critically hampers innovation, stifles productivity, and perpetuates a cycle of mediocrity that undermines the country’s potential for growth.
In essence, DepEd’s “no one left behind” policy, while well-intentioned, has become a hindrance to the very educational advancement it seeks to promote. By neglecting to address the root causes of academic underperformance and instead opting for a superficial solution of mass promotion, the education system has failed both its students and the nation at large. If left unaddressed, this crisis will continue to reverberate through generations, perpetuating a cycle of educational inadequacy and hindering the country’s ability to compete on a global scale.
To mitigate this crisis, urgent reforms are needed at both the policy and implementation levels. DepEd must reassess its approach to student advancement, prioritizing quality education over arbitrary metrics of inclusivity. Additionally, investment in teacher training and support is needed to ensure that educators have the tools and resources necessary to address the diverse needs of their students effectively. Furthermore, collaboration between DepEd and tertiary institutions is essential to bridge the gap between secondary and higher education. This includes the development of remedial programs and support structures to help incoming students acquire the skills they need to succeed academically.
The future of tertiary education in the Philippines hinges on the ability of policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to confront the realities of academic underpreparedness head-on. By dismantling the flawed paradigm of “no one left behind” and embracing a more effective approach to educational advancement, the Philippines can pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for generations to come.
