Of infidelity and principals

Can anything good or beneficial come out from the “Lovers Quarrel” of Speaker Bebot Alvarez and Congressman Tony Boy Floirendo? Actually yes!

Now that the issue of infidelity, separation, broken marriages and legal/political whiplash is all over the news, it might serve as enough incentive for Congress and society in general to finally confront the issue of failed marriages, legal separation, child support, division of properties etc. Given that the church and Congress remain oppose to the concept of divorce, now might be the right time for the Speaker to assign a team of lawmakers to investigate, study and work at a fair, practical, affordable and acceptable solution for couples and broken families to be able to move on without the need of expensive and anti-poor requirements for legal separation or annulment of marriage.

Many “marriages” remain entombed in the cold reality of separation and disgrace because we still live in a society where women are forced or cornered into financial dependency upon husbands. There are no remedies that provide for people to be able to “Move On” and no sure and secure mechanism to insure that families receive financial support even after a philandering husband or adulterous wife has put up a second family. Abandoned families should not have to go to court, pay fees they can’t afford just to haul an ass to court for child support.

We must come to terms with the serious problem that come in the aftermath of broken marriages instead of justifying it as something that many people do or live with. There are enough philanderers and adulterers in Congress to constitute a quorum to investigate the problem in aid of legislation. If you’re part of the problem at least try to come up with solutions.

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While conducting a five-day seminar on developing communication skills and linkages for school principals of the province of Zambales I discovered that aside from being the chief executive of their schools, principals are also tasked to manage and act as property managers. One principal shared how she was hard pressed finding support and contacts that could help her get the land title for the land where their school was built, because someone was laying claim to the land and this prevented them from building additional facilities.

It turns out that she was not alone and was soon followed by other principals who revealed they also have to work or follow up on offers, bids, and negotiations for property being bought by government for schools, pay real estate taxes, building and construction permits. A number of them also mentioned that there are a number of cases where land donated to public schools are often being “claimed” by third parties acting or pretending to be legitimate owners. One school after being in existence for 59 years found itself being sued by the heirs of the donor-politician who were demanding P13 million for compensation. Every time there is a hearing the principal has to appear on behalf of the school.  

A principal said she was caught between a doomed negotiation where the property owner wanted P1,000 per square meter versus the government offer of around P200 to P250 only. The principal has to do everything possible to convince the landowner to reduce their price or the principal and the school can’t get the land to build a new and much needed complex. Either that or she finds a generous sponsor to buy and donate the land or some other creative solution.

This to me is representative of the fact that legislators and executives in Malacañang are either ignorant of the fact or have not really done their job diligently to realize that educators should focus on the business of Education and not be given responsibilities such as property management or be used as “forced labor” during elections.

Given that the government owns millions of hectares of land as well as multi-billion peso buildings and facilities, has anybody in Congress or the executive department even considered establishing a Government Property Management Bureau that will be manned by people well versed in land titles, documentation, valuations as well as taxation. This might also put a stop to people and companies squatting or illegally occupying government properties. Why put this burden and responsibility on school principals who have more than enough challenges dealing with mayors, town or city officials, barangay officials and parents constantly upset during PTA meetings!

Just the practice of making principals and teachers “volunteered” election monitors, vote counters etc., is seriously stupid and insane given the fact that public school teachers and principals are highly dependent and often under the thumb of local officials who contribute counterpart funds and are the primary donors for unbudgeted expenses for special project, emergency situations, etc. As a result Principals are always caught in the middle of electoral contest, accused of being partisan or harassed and intimidated by local candidates and officials who know them and where they live! At the very least, teachers and principals should have a different area of assignment during elections.

Why is it that DepEd which has the biggest cut of the budget pie can’t afford to provide vehicles to principals, teachers and personnel in the field who have to walk, hike, bike or trike their way to far flung barangay schools in the foot hills. In contrast, The Philippine National Police now have brand spanking new utility vehicles for their people in the field all over the Philippines. Politicians and media always focus on school openings and buildings but no one talks about toilets. Why do most elected officials and high ranking officials in government get to have their own dedicated toilet while the children of the lesser people have to do with a hole in the ground!  

Obviously the real needs of the DepEd on the ground have never been a priority. These headaches should be the priority concern of committee chairmen on education, civil service and government reorganization as well as President Duterte himself.

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