Friday, May 24, 2019

Island teachers want to return to mainland Zambo City

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 24, 2019): Island teachers want to return to mainland Zambo City

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ZAMBOANGA CITY --As classes are to start on June 3, the Department of Education (DepEd) here has received numerous requests from island-barangay teachers to be transferred back to the mainland.

DepEd Zamboanga City Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Oliver Talaoc reported their office has received such requests for re-assignments from teachers, particularly in the island barangays of Tigtabon, Sacol Island, Manalipa, Landang Gua and others.

“They do not want to be assigned in the islands, they are afraid,” Talaoc said as he confirmed that security concerns make up the most of the teachers’ apprehensions. “They are afraid that they might be kidnapped.”


Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) pump boats have been ferrying the teachers from the mainland to the islands, but the boats have a strict schedule. Talaoc said there are instances when teachers are not able to catch the boat on time, and they have to wait for hours for the boat’s return. Otherwise, they have the option to flag boats-for-hire, but they are apprehensive to do this for security reasons.

“The teachers want to be reassigned in the city, but the problem is they do not have replacements yet,” Talaoc explained. They will have to stay until such time when newly-hired teachers would have been assigned to take their posts.

More than 10 years ago in January 2009, three newly-assigned school teachers were abducted in the waters of Sacol Island. There have been other similar abductions of school teachers here in the past.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1022432

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