Talaingod Manobos got the support of Congresswoman Ilagan

Dear Diary,

Salamat kay Gabriela Women's Partylist Congresswoman Luz Ilagan sa pagbibigay ng boses sa mga Manobo ng Talaingod. Sana maitulak si Deped Secretary Armin Luistro na gumawa ng aksyon sa problemang ito. Agree ako kay Rep. Luz Ilagan na kung walang pakialam si Dr. Fadul sa edukasyon ng mga lumad, hindi siya nararapat sa Deped.

Nagpapasalamat,
Che

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DepEd's Luistro asked to explain order to shut down tribal schools

Fri, 05/29/2015
Press Release

Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luzviminda Ilagan today said the Department of Education needs to explain a memorandum ordering the closure of tribal schools put up and operated by the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center.

“Classes are about to open a few days from now. There are shortages in classrooms, facilities and teachers and there remains an obvious lack of schools in Lumad communities yet a local initiative to put up a tribal school is being attacked no less by officials of the DepEd like Dr. Fadul. Whatever happened to upholding the right to education?”

Ilagan said there is an urgent need for Secretary Luistro to explain such actions from his subordinates in the region and directly intervene so that the tribal schools can continue its operations, open on schedule and ensure that no Lumad child is further deprived of the right to education.

The Gabriela solon said she had been informed that a letter dated May 12, 2015 from Dr. Josephine Fadul, Division Superintendent of DepEd Region XI in Davao del Norte recommended the closure of the said schools. “If Dr. Fadul does not see the value of these tribal schools and if she is proving to be a hindrance to the development and learning of the Lumad children then the DepEd is no place for her. She should explain.”

The Mindanaoan solon said she is set to bring up the plight of Lumad children and their tribal schools in a privilege speech on Monday. Ilagan said an investigation must be conducted so that Luistro the regional DepEd officials can give their explanation on why the DepEd is shutting down Lumad schools. “They will be made to attend the investigation in Congress.”

Ilagan said the DepEd should not allow itself to be used in the AFP’s counter-insurgency operations. According to Ilagan, the Lumad schools have repeatedly been under attack from military forces yet the Lumad children and their teachers’ persistence enabled them to conduct classes even during forced evacuations. They recently conducted their graduation at the Almendras Gym in Davao City since military elements have started occupying their schools and communities. The AFP has accused Lumad communities of supporting the New People’s Army