Are Vocational Schools In
Aklan Effective?
As mandated by
Republic Act 10618, known as the Rural Farm Schools Act, the DepEd will
establish one (1) rural farm school each in 81 provinces of the Philippines
beginning this year. The Implementing Rules and Regulations is already
approved. This law will enable the DepEd to hire new teachers who will handle
subjects related to farming and fishing. This farm school is another delivery
mode of secondary education where more students will be able to study
agriculture hands on since classes will be held in farming and fishing
communities.
The tuition and the
school fees for public farm schools shall be free, while only minimal tuition
and other fees for private farm schools shall be imposed.
As of today, there
are 11 farm schools in the Philippines. These are found in the provinces of
Aurora, Rizal, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Lanao Del Norte, Leyte, Iloilo,
Cebu, Negros Oriental, Camarines Sur and Tacloban City.
Aklan used to have a
farm school, the Capiz Farm School, located in Banga. However, it was converted
into a state college and finally Aklan State University. The convertion of
Banga Rural High School into ASU made its principal mandate in agriculture
relegated to the back while ASU authorities give more emphasis to other courses
where the private sector is strong. ASU appears to promote strongly degrees
in criminology and nursing.
On the other hand,
Aklan is lucky for having Libacao School of Forestry located in Libacao, Aklan.
This is the only one
in the Philippines. Aklan has also the Philippines Craftsman in Malinao, the
only one in the Philippines, and Aklan has also the Numancia School of
Fisheries in Brgy. Albasan, Numancia. As far as education institutions are
concerned, Aklan has all kinds of education institutions.
ASU Ibajay Campus
addresses rural development, ASU New Washington is for fishery development, ASU
Makato is for teacher education and ASU Kalibo addresses various academic
disciplines such as engineering and architecture. Looking at the present
situation, Aklanons possess and are available to them all the disciplines in
human resources development.
But for one thing,
why is it that in Aklan, the poorest of the poor belongs to the farm and
fishing sectors? With the outcome of the teaching in ASU in all campuses, its
policy, programs, projects, and activities must be reviewed with the end in
view to adjust them, so its graduates in fisheries and agriculture will become
leaders in the fishing and farming industries.
Where will the DepEd
locate the Farm School in Aklan? The municipalities of Kalibo, New Washington,
Libacao, Banga, Malinao, Ibajay, Numancia have their respective technical
vocational school. Even the farthest town, Buruanga has its Buruanga Vocational
High School.
Nabas as I view it
appears to be the best location of a farm school in Aklan. It has no public
high school in the Poblacion, but a private school, Western Aklan Academy.
Nabas has wide vacant fertile lands where graduates of secondary agriculture
can develop into food basket like fruits and vegetables, livestock and poultry.
Nabas is very near and accessible to food market, Boracay Island.
IMPEDING WATER
The
road construction in Lezo, Aklan has destroyed the irrigation system. The road
construction is impeding the flow of water to the rice paddies in Numancia, and
Makato. While it is good for the visitors visiting Aklan, it is bad for the
Aklanon farmers and consumers. The lack of water in those stated riceland areas
will greatly reduce rice production and income of the farmers. It will also
increase the price of rice which is likewise bad to the
consumers.
Pathetic State
The internet speed
in the Philippines is in a “pathetic state”, Senator Chiz Escudero pointed out.
The current situation in the Philippines is “unacceptable”, said Escudero.
I agree with Senator
Escudero. The state of internet speed is pathetic and this situation deserves
immediate attention of the Department of Transportation and Communication,
specifically the National Telecommunication Commission.
Yesterday, August
14, 2015, I was invited to attend a luncheon meeting in Kalibo. The invitation
was relayed to me via a text message sent at 9:33 in the morning. The texter
was in Kalibo; the meeting was held in Kalibo; and I received a text message at
3:37 in the afternoon, six hours after the text message was sent. I missed the
luncheon meeting where important business matters were discussed.
Sen. Escudero
suggested,“the government must crack the whip on our telecommunication
companies”.
These Telecommunication
companies have been telling their shareholders they are earning billions of
pesos but they forget their billions of subscribers all over the Philippines./MP
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