In
fairness to Ms. Sy, she just spoke out what is stipulated in the DepEd order
regarding suspension of classes, which clearly states that “when signal no. 2
is raised by PAGASA, classes at the preschool, elementary and secondary levels
shall be automatically suspended….(D.O. No. 28,s. 2005)” The said DepEd policy
does not encompass other levels of study such as the tertiary, graduate and
post graduate programs, for as per CHED M.O. No. 19 s. 2005, “In case PAGASA
raises Typhoon Signal No. 1 or No. 2 only in a particular locality within our
PAR, classes (in the tertiary and higher levels) … shall not be suspended as a
matter of policy.”
It was
the Governor who first invoked the said DepEd guidelines and what was asked by
Ms. Sy was just a validation of his reference for what has been announced is
not in accord with what has been written. That is nothing different in asking a
store keeper why does he/she sells Ariel detergent for 9 pesos even if the
packaging label and advertisements implies that it is just 7.50Php. Or it is
like picking a certain passage from the constitution or sacred scriptures,
infusing your personal sentiments into it, and then vastly proclaiming it like
it is still the same content without prior notice that you have injected your
own ideas into it. In research studies, researchers are always warned to make
sure that you do not alter nor twist the real thought or idea of the person/s
that you are quoting in your research or else he/she might have turned in
his/her grave (in case he/she is already resting in peace) for they did not
really mean what you are now presenting yet you are still attributing it to
them.
In the
latter response, the governor has said that he makes no distinction across
different levels of studies when it comes to their safety and security, which I
personally think, that what the governor personally thought (no distinction) is
something that is very venerable as far as his concern to his “constituents” is
involved but at the same time conflicting at first, for it is not only that the
government itself have set different institutions (DepEd and CHED) in order to
address these distinctions, but also the reference (DepEd guidelines) pointed
out confused those who are really aware with it especially with the ethics of
referencing.
In
this light, I therefore conclude that:
1) the
comment of Ms. Sy is indeed a good starting point to raise awareness when it comes
to such rules but she was heavily bashed and “burned” by the netizens probably
due to the tone of her comment that seemed arrogant and sarcastic at times.
Indeed, negative thoughts and acts attract negative feedback in return.
2) I
do not contest the governor’s decision when it comes to class suspensions,
knowing most especially that these decisions are results of his pure compassion
to the Cavitenos supported by the different governing policies, weather
forecast/data provided by different agencies and consultations with the
municipal governments who are definitely not disregarded for they are the ones
who are really experiencing the status of the vicinity. But I think the
governor must not have pointed the said guideline anymore or at least have emphasized
in advance that this is not his pure reference for the reason which I have
already presented above. And lastly
3)
ASKING QUESTIONS, RAISING INQUIRIES, RECITATION or SPEAKING OUT YOUR MIND is
the beginning of learning. I should know for I am an educator and the said acts
manifest the kind of learners who are eager to learn. That is why we, teachers,
are very appreciative to learners who participates and interacts with the
discussion regardless of the substance for we know that it is a spark plug
already for deeper intellection. But if we suppress, make fun and humiliate
those who stand up, those who let their voices be heard, those who expresses
what is in their mind, most especially if it is an out of the box idea or is
unorthodox to your stand. This society is bound to be doomed, for Charles
Bukowski’s fear would come into full actualization: the intelligent people
would be filled with doubt while the stupid ones will have their confidence
oozing. I should know for I always shut my mouth off believing that less talk,
less mistake, less harm, but later on I got challenged by Einstein’s
premonition that “the world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by
those who watch them without doing anything.”
With
this post I might be suppressed, made fun of, humiliated and most probably be
ignored due to its length (LOL) but hopefully not assassinated (LOL again). But
as I end, “come at me with your garbage, I will retaliate with my recycle bin
and together let’s save mother earth.”
