Councilor wants more cop visibility in school opening

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Danilo Caballero, chairman of the committee on peace and order, is calling on the city police to deploy personnel within the vicinity of public and private schools in the city.

Caballero said this is to ensure the safety of the students during school days, the opening of which is set two weeks from now.

Also, City Councilor Francis Richard Aznar, chairman of the committee on education, appealed for the full cooperation of the academe in implementing city ordinances that affect the welfare of students.

Last week, the Department of Education kicked off its annual school maintenance week, Brigada Eskwela. Volunteers paint classrooms, repair furniture and clean up the school grounds.

Brigada Eskwela brings together school officials, parents, students and private organizations in an effort to clean and repair schools in time for enrollment the following week and the start of classes on June 2.

Aznar said the move was a clear manifestation of social responsibility to participants, private organizations, individuals, national and local government agencies, local businesses and international organizations and foundations.

Aznar, whose family owns and operates a private school in Cebu City, also confirmed that he sees an increase in the number of students in public schools because the private universities are increasing their tuition fees.

In Talisay City alone, at least 20 private schools tendered bids to increase their tuition this school year.

Aznar said the exact number of pupils and high schools in public schools has yet to be submitted to the Department of Education.

The repair of classrooms and clean-up in the vicinity of the different public elementary and high schools in Lapu-Lapu City through Brigada Eskwela was a big success, City School Division Superintendent Eduardo Ompad said.

Ompad said he visited the different schools in Lapu-Lapu City and observed the support and cooperation of parents and different sectors in cleaning up the school and minor repair of old buildings.

According to Ompad, the parents and residents in the different barangays responded to their appeal for support.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza said she directed all barangay captains and officials to support the program.

Radaza said aside from the barangay captains and officials, she also directed the job order and clean and green workers assigned to the different barangays to help clean up of school.

She further said that barangay captains should closely coordinate with the school principals and head teachers of the different public elementary and high schools, including those in Olango Island and neighboring islets.  (FREEMAN)