Nat'l DepEd exec works on 'win-win' solution for pet program in Btac. Nuevo
A top official of the Department of Education's (DepEd) Adopt-A-School program remains optimistic that acceptable resolution will soon be reached in the program implementation of one Iloilo town.
Unfortunately marked with "objections" from no less than the town mayor, Paul Soriano, program Executive Director told The News Today (TNT) that efforts are underway to come up with what he termed as "win-win" solution.
No specifics were given by Soriano while acknowledging that the 'disagreement' lies between the Municipality of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo and the donor-foundation, Valera-Araneta Foundation, Incorporated.
"We're looking for a common ground… there is no recall or cancellation on the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)… there are difficulties but we are working on a win-win solution here," Soriano said in yesterday's TNT phone interview.
Adopt-A-School Program is a government initiative that forges partnership with private groups. Valera-Araneta Foundation is the only one thus far which answered the call for partnership in Barotac Nuevo, hometown of the foundation executives.
"What is wrong with the program? From our end if they see something wrong with it, then we sit down and talk so we can fix it. We are simply here to help," stressed Mariano "Nonong" Araneta Jr., husband of foundation president, Aileen Araneta.
Program implementation first met a 'serious' hitch when a teachers' training backed by the foundation was called off last month. Officially, reason for the cancellation remained unclear to date yet no less than Director Soriano then called for DepEd Iloilo's explanation.
Sources told TNT though that the teachers were told to stay put until further orders. Days after, the reason was made clear – Mayor Hernani Biron wants the foundation and its help to stop coming and pouring in his 'turf.'.
Of late, the mayor required series of documents following what was termed as "personality and legality" check in the supposed spirit of accountability and transparency.
DepEd Central Office, TNT also gathered, is in possession of a "mother" MOA that was reportedly requested to be drawn by no less than Director Soriano. Yet for still unclear reasons, the MOA already pre-signed by Araneta Jr. remain hanging.