Caught in the middle

Everyone is entitled to the most basic of human rights (no this is not about former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s squabble with President Aquino and Sec. Leila de Lima) — the right to live, freedom from torture and slavery, and the right to a fair trial, to name a few. But we all know it’s not a perfect world and most of us must work or even fight, to uphold or defend these rights.

The Philippine Maritime Institute (PMI), the pioneer maritime school in the country established in 1948 by Tomas Cloma, is currently locked in a legal battle with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) over the government agency’s recent order to close two of the school’s flagship courses — Bachelor of Science in Marine Technology (BSMT) and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSME). Understandably, PMI has cried foul.

According to CHED, the two programs had to be closed down after PMI reportedly failed to meet standards from a 2006 inspection done by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). CHED’s closure order stunned PMI officials, alumni and students as the school has since been submitting compliance reports about remedial action taken to address the deficiencies specified by both the EMSA and CHED. Each report consistently shows the school’s compliance with the major requirements specified by the auditing team (composed, curiously enough, of representatives from other maritime schools, in effect, PMI’s business rivals). One move of PMI was to improve its training facilities to the tune of P35 million.

Amidst this ongoing battle, the group that’s caught in the middle of the crossfire is composed of the students affected by CHED’s order, some 16,000 of them; who now have to fight for their Right to Education. They’re crying for a chance to finish what they have been striving for all these years.

Most of the students are not from affluent families as some have had to sell property, borrow money, or take on extra work to cover the cost of their studies. And now, this. They could be the real-life counterparts of the hard-working heroes in telenovelas; taking on everything, stopping at nothing to ensure that they get out of their average or low income class condition. The bandido here is CHED, or whoever calls the shots there, who is seemingly fixated with busting the institution and the dreams of its students. 

CHED has suggested that the students affected by its order, move to other maritime schools — and what do you know, it specified four out of easily close to a hundred all over the country. Why these four are the privileged few, only CHED knows. This suggestion came by way of its “Notice to the Public” ad published in October. For the students and their parents, transferring to another school is easier said than done, especially in the middle of the school year. There is a big difference between recommending new schools, and facilitating their transfer.

It was PMI actually, that offered to help facilitate the transfers. PMI president Rizabel Cloma-Santos is said to be close to the student body. In the meantime, the school’s legal team is now challenging CHED’s move before the courts while the students have voiced out their opposition to the closure order by staging demonstrations at the CHED office in Quezon City. 

CHED has come out regularly in media, stating its position on the issue. Recently, both parties were invited to appear in a program on Aksyon TV 41, Duelo, hosted by former Senator Dick Gordon. A PMI alumnus and a student affected by the order showed up for the taping at the studio. Despite earlier commitments made to the show’s production staff, no one from CHED came. 

CHED’s media releases state it is acting in the interest of Filipino seamen; shutting down schools that, to its judgment, endangers the status of the Philippines in the maritime “White List,” which specifies where the best seafarers come from. According to CHED, there was also speculation that the European Union will be withdrawing its support of the Philippine maritime industry.

 One has to ask, though: Is speculation reason enough to justify the stymieing of future mariners? Is it also reason enough to endanger the reputation of all other graduates of PMI, who are currently serving as master mariners in the top shipping companies of the world? Does speculation justify CHED’s ignoring its own Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education, which does not allow it to stop or suspend courses in the middle of the school year?

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The 45th International Bazaar, to be held on Sunday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the PICC Forums I, II and III, CCP Complex in Pasay City, promises to be a success like its past 44 bazaars. The bazaar features beautiful, exotic, and fine products being sold at booths manned by representatives of diplomatic and consular posts and local entrepreneurs — from embroidered garments to wines and liquors, jewelry, cheeses, chocolates, Christmas and home décor, antique furniture, perfumes to body lotions, among others.

The bazaar is different from other bazaars because proceeds go to charities of the International Bazaar Foundation. Such charities include the Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo sa Pag-Angat at Pag-Asa (AGAPP), Bahay Maric Center, Community and Family Services International, Inc. (CFSI), Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc., Philippine General Hospital, Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran ng mga Ayta, Inc. (KAKI), Dar Amanah Children’s Village Foundation, Inc., and others.

The event is headed by Gretchen del Rosario, wife of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario, in cooperation with the spouses of the heads of mission and members of the consular corps in the Philippines. Gretchen is over-all chair of the International Bazaar Foundation board of trustees. Other trustees are Conchitina S. Bernardo, president; Sylvia J. Farolan, vice-president; Rose B. Villamor, secretary; Nora C. Salazar, treasurer, and board members Margarita Tambunting, Ada Mabilangan, Bambina Buenaventura, and Olivia Romulo, with ex-officio board member Alice T. Guerrero.

To be raffled off are household appliances, hotel and restaurant vouchers, and one-of-a-kind items. Tickets at P100 can be bought at the IBF Office, DFA Bldg., Roxas Blvd, Pasay City, with tel. no. 8331320; Tesoro’s Outlets at Arnaiz Ave., Makati, Alabang Town Center, and Amalum St., Ermita. Tickets may also be purchased at the event. For further information, e-mail [email protected]

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The Forum for Family Planning and Development will host the 4th Rafael M. Salas Cup, with former President Fidel V. Ramos as patron. It will be held at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite on Friday, Nov. 25. Proceeds will go to the Forum’s program for maternal and child health.

Ceremonial tee-off, led by former President Ramos, is set at 7:15 a.m. Shotgun follows. Entry fee is P3,500, inclusive of green fee, golf cart, giveaways, fun hole, raffle and lunch.

For details, call Ben de Leon at 0978-587952, Susan Lugtu, 0922-8120441/489027/265484, and Hazel Soriaga, 0917-8400119/9647855.

Presentor is First Pacific Holdings, and sponsors are San Roque Power Corporation, Marubeni, Group Management Development, Inc; DKT Philippines, San Miguel Corporation, Asia United Bank, SGV & Co., PAGCOR and Social Security System.

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E-mail: [email protected]