Chacapna: The ‘flower vase’ superintendent and his ‘flowers’ part six.
FORWARDED in my mail box is a letter that wasn’t published in the week’s mail of a friendly, fair, fearless and free newspaper. I lent this little space, since the column existed purposely for public school teachers. It says: “Dear newspaper, this letter primarily asks the people responsible in supervising the construction of public school buildings. Are you not so busy in your comfortable chairs, that going out of it is near to impossibility? It has been more than six months from the time the construction of this public school commenced at Baguio City National High School (BCNHS).
To this date, only the second story’s flooring was concreted. In all those times, the contractor used the school’s Gymnasium as temporary staging ground for equipment and materials - to the detriment of the athletes and students. Where will our athletes train? Was it a coincidence that, when before the construction, our students are active in sports at the gymnasium, but now we see them in offices being reprimanded because of quarreling, slight physical injuries and other mischief?
Our school is becoming famous in social media because of students agreed mauling, with videos of it. To which do you think these youths should channel their energy. Will it not be in sports, at a right venue and appropriate mentor?
Above all is the safety of teachers and students in the construction site, whose life and limbs are waiting for accidents. On the spot, one can even see boulders of concrete splattered in rooftops of the schools catwalk, which were formed when the contractor built temporary structure for channeling concretes. Is safety engineering disregarded in constructing school buildings, any way the building is merely for public school? Records will show that this protracted construction is not the first case at Baguio City National High school.
Again safety and timing are always reiterated by the faculty of the school at the start of a project. May I then appeal the attention of the Bidding committees and those ‘sleeping–in–charge’ to wake up and check the contractor’s ability to finish excellent projects at the right time before the award.” - Paul F. Colingan, BCNHS EA president, Baguio City.
Well, there are several reasons why publishers are selective. Mostly is the fear for libel cases, another is insufficient space. There’s no problem for the first when, as writers, you know where the entry and you’re prepared for the exit. As such, familiarity on the use of “Jane and John Doe” is of great help. If not, insure that your writings are with good intentions. With these, the brightest judge or justice never gives a guilty verdict, only the dumb ones will.
As for Judas who is expecting the large rock he carried becomes bread, it didn’t. Jesus said: Throw away the things you “lastly and lustily” carried as far as you can, it will give you an idea how long you will roam the Garden of Eden. I cannot imagine how far Judas has thrown it away, “Arah! ngantoy, ekak amta ekasat”.
And for Rico, the flower vase superintendent asking Sora how large the SEF (Special Education Fund) in the mountainous city, the latter replied: I will ask the “tulisan Art” who seems to be the veteran and expert in mining SEF. Meanwhile, at city high, Principal Brenda allowed teachers to sell “tinudok and mani” to students, purposely for “hataw uniforms – at the expense of canteen concessionaires”. Are teacher’s honor and pride cheap nowadays?
To be continued...