LADY COP CHIEF

LADY COP CHIEF --- Police Col. Portia B. Manalad is the first lady police director to be assigned in Cotabato City, taking over from Police Col. Michael F. Lebanan in turn-over rites held last May 27 at the Cotabato City Police Office in PC Hill. She is welcomed by Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi who is among those who witnessed the ceremony. (Anne Acosta)

ONE PARTY ALL

ONE PARTY ALL --- Newly elected and re-elected candidates in Sitangkai, Tawi-tawi pose in a pictorial session following the May 13 midterm elections and their proclamation by the Commission on Elections. Seated (left to right) are Mayor-elect  Hji. Tiblan “MCO” C.  Ahaja and Vice Mayor-elect Hji.  Serbin “ Silent” C. Ahaja. Standing (left to right) are the proclaimed  municipal councilors: number 1 councilor-elect Allan K. Ahaja, Hji. Alharis  ‘Ang” K. Ahaja, Joeben “Ebong” C. Attang, Abdel Yamani “Mani” K. Ahaja,   Jadzlee “Jadz” K. Pianah, Bryan “Bry” Hapas, Hja. Merilyn ‘Elyn” A. Joe, and Aldimar  “Dhems” A.  Awadi. All these winning candidates belong to the National Unity Party. (Anne Acosta)

Army battalions join 'Brigada Eskwela' in Maguindanao

BRIGADA ESKWELA LINK ---  Soldiers from the Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion provide free haircut to pupils during the Brigada Eskwela activity last May 23 in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao ahead of the class opening on June 3. (Photo courtesy of 33rd IB)

COTABATO CITY --- Soldiers from two Army battalions took time out last May 23 to participate in “Brigada Eskwela” initiatives in public schools in Maguindanao as part of their social responsibility, officials said. 

Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, commander of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, said soldiers of the Bravo Company joined parents and teachers in preparing the Datu Paglas Central School in Poblacion, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao by providing manpower assistance and free haircut, especially to incoming students. 

Boongaling said the annual Brigada Eskwela was spearheaded by Bouden Tudon, head teacher of Datu Paglas Central School, as parents, teachers, and alumni cleaned, cut grasses, and repair classrooms. 

In nearby President Quirino Central School at Barangay Poblacion in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, the soldiers joined the annual Brigada Eskwela efforts. 

“The soldiers’ participation in the Brigada Eskwela highlights the spirit of volunteerism and unity,” he said in a statement. 

Elements of the 57th IB also joined the same activity in public schools in the towns of Datu Hoffer, Datu Unsay, and Shariff Aguak, all in Maguindanao last May 23.

The soldiers helped prepare the school facilities and its environment to become safe and conducive for learning when pupils return to school on June 3. 

Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, has ordered all Army battalions in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and parts of North Cotabato and Lanao del Sur to participate in Brigada Eskwela activities. 

Brigada Eskwela, or the National Schools Maintenance Week, is a nation-wide initiative by the Department of Education (DepEd) that aims to mobilize the parents, alumni, teachers, civic groups, and students, among others, to volunteer their time and repair skills in preparing school facilities for school opening in June. 

This year’s theme is "Matatag na Bayan Para sa Matatag na Paaralan."  (EDWIN FERNANDEZ, PNA – COTABATO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SDS directs EPSs, PSDSs to monitor Oplan Balik Eskwela

SCHOOLS Division Superintendent Concepcion Ferrer-Balawag, CESO V, has directed the Education Program Supervisors (EPS) of different learning areas along with the Public Schools District Supervisors (PSDS) to monitor the progress of the implementation of Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) which started May 27. 

The EPS have been divided into eight groups assigned to monitor eight districts with the help of PSDS in the entire division of Cotabato City.

Only the 43 public schools in the city, both elementary (25) and secondary (18),  are subjects for monitoring.

The week-long OBE is aimed at getting the number of enrollees on a daily basis and submit these to the division office. The Department of Education - Regional Office also needs these data for reportage  to the Central Office.

The division superintendent also reiterated among school principals the imposition of the “No Collection Policy” during the enrolment. Other voluntary contributions, such as scouting and Red Cross fees, are to be subject for approval by the General Parents-Teachers Association two  months after the opening of classes.

The monitoring teams will be using the checklist provided by the Division Office to classify male and female enrollees.

The over-all result of the OBE shall be the basis for the distribution of teachers in a particular school. (ROSANNA R. CABALLERO, MT-1, COTABATO CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MAIN CAMPUS – MINDANAO EXPOSE’

Editorial

Weighing for living

Labor groups in Metro Manila are continually creating noise as they persist on their demands for higher minimum wage, more than P700 a day, so as to cope with the high standards of living. Here in our area, though not as militant or radical as those in the metropolis, are likewise hungry for a similar pay hike. Who wouldn’t want such a big raise? We could only cross our fingers if the “big raise” is ever granted, though many could only be pessimistic on this to happen.

        To grant a big pay hike will result to reduction of employment rate, said the Employers Confederation of the Philippines. The ECOP also cautioned that ending the labor contractualization scheme would also adversely affect employment and investment.

        Earlier, the Department of Labor and Employment gave a negative note on the demand for high pay hike. The labor department could only tell the wage earners to cope with the living standards and initiate moves to get extra income. We cannot expect this far for a national legislation for high wages as this would only put a slash on employment pendulum… wage earners have to realize this fact and rather look for means and ways for adjustments and earn extra income, if there be.

        For those who would enter marriage and family life and the labor market, now is the time to  ponder on what steps to take in the battle with economic woes. It will be realistic to plan the size of the family in anticipation of what one could bring in as take home pay. One has to balance the employment position, salary rate, and expenditures. For survivality and ensure economic security, both spouses have to earn a living… both have to join the labor market to eke a living, sustain life with enough savings for emergencies. There are “wants” that have to be deferred or cast away as these are not really needs. The frequent advise is: Be practical and realistic… reach what is reachable but aspire with energy.

        What do we see in the labor market today? Youths have to learn the skills in dealing with technologies and find their place in this world of gadgets. There are now numerous courses related to these technology industries and career choices have to blend with the market demands for employability. Seek what is employably good pay, given your credentials of course. If lacking in family financial resource, grab the free collegiate education afforded by the government as one step to investment so one could enter the labor market with commensurating pay rate, hence, assuring economic stability.

        Practical living it is. See what is viably fitting to earn extra income other than reliance on minimum wage. But everything has to go the legal way to earn more. Move it fellas!