'Protocol' issue mars DepEd program in Barotac Nuevo
From left, Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc.
(PASEI) Director Noel Litan, President Victor Fernandez,
TESDA Director General Augusto Syjuco and Second
Dist. Rep. Judy Syjuco during the signing of the
Memorandum of Agreement.
For over a year, hundreds of books, teaching materials and school supplies were delivered. Weekly feeding programs on schoolchildren were held. A multi-purpose building was erected. An extensive teachers' training was conceptualized. And then came the order – hold the project in abeyance till further notice.
As such, answers are now sought by the Valera-Araneta Foundation Inc. (VAFI), partner-organization of the Department of Education's (DepEd) Adopt-A-School program. Beneficiary-schools are five elementary schools in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, hometown of foundation Director, Mariano "Nonong" Araneta Jr.
In a letter to DepEd Iloilo School Division Superintendent Raymundo Lapating, Araneta Jr. has now requested for a "formal explanation."
"We are surprised by the sudden change of plans and even more, very dismayed by the lack of professionalism in the handling of such turn of events," the letter went, a copy of which was obtained by The News Today (TNT). "We believe we deserve a proper explanation, one that we have been denied of despite repeated attempts of VAFI representatives to call your office."
The letter was sent Friday. Lapating in a Saturday evening interview over Bombo Radyo was finally heard though with the gist of his explanation saying "coordination" issues or lack thereof, is to be blamed for the delay.
Yet it was wrong to cast it on him, he stressed, saying it was DepEd Iloilo's Warlito Bagsit who issued the "stoppage" orders. Turned out though, Bagsit was also just implementing an order from DepEd higher-ups. The name of Undersecretary Ramon Bacani then cropped up alongside Fourth District Congressman Ferjenel Biron, son of Barotac Nuevo Mayor Hernan Biron.
Lapating admitted he himself is seemingly "caught in the middle," referring to what has now been acknowledged as the displeasure of the mayor on the foundation's activities in Barotac Nuevo. As such, Lapating said, "ako iya (as for me), I want to play safe."
Lapating said a letter of inquiry was sent by the DepEd Iloilo's legal counsel to Mayor Biron seeking for a "project status." Incidentally, Republic Act 8525 otherwise known as the Adopt-A-School Program provides that schoolheads and not the concerned mayors have the authority, accountability and responsibility of accepting donations.
Lapating addressed such saying yes, it may not be clearly provided for by RA 8525 yet yes as well, he believes that for any program to prosper there should be "proper coordination" with the local government unit.
"You know cooperation is not enough, there should also be coordination," Lapating quipped.
Araneta Jr. had his chance for a rebuttal in same radio interview.
"We appreciate the position of Superintendent Lapating that things should be patched up… that is what we failed to get in the past three months," he began while later correcting an impression apparently left by the Lapating interview. "He said something about if one donates, they should not dictate to the department and the school. Wala gid kami gadikta sa DepEd or sa (We do not dictated to DepEd or the) school. What we only want to see is for the program to be sustained."
Last to be heard over Bombo Radyo was Congressman Biron who admitted making the call to Undersecretary Bacani.
"I do not deny that. With the project already held in abeyance, I asked that it should be honored until the issues are resolved," the congressman said adding that as a matter of protocol, respect is due to his father "no matter how noble the program is."
Biron also decried the matter having reached the media particularly Bombo Radyo saying the station nor any other media outlet cannot resolve the problem.
Anchorman Roger Gencianeo got back to Biron with a question, "but aren't we the media your partners in public service Congressman Biron?"
Meantime, all provisions as stipulated on the foundation's Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) with the beneficiary-elementary schools hang.
Araneta for his part maintained, "It is with integrity that we commit to the MOA."