DAVAO CITY (PIA) - The Department of Education in Davao region (DepEd-11) clarified reports that it has closed 55 Salugpungan schools, saying the order issued by the department only suspended the release of permits to the operator of the schools.
“We have not yet closed the schools because we are starting to get the truth about this matter,” Jenielito Atillo, DepEd-11 spokesperson, said.
Atillo was referring to the statement of non-government organization (NGO) Save Our Schools which claimed that DepEd had issued a closure order against Salugpungan.
“We are making sure that democracy will grind through due process, so there is no truth to that confirmation from the group Save Our Schools Network that we have closed their schools,” Atillo said.
He said the department was looking at the allegations of National Security Adviser Sec. Hermogenes Esperon and the affidavit of Melvin Mansalood Loyod, a former volunteer teacher of Salugpungan.
The three allegations of Esperon were: that the curriculum was not in conformity to the standards of DepEd; that Salugpungan uses children in rallies; and that Salugpungan teaches ideologies that advocate against the government.
Loyod’s affidavit corroborates Esperon’s allegations, which Atillo said the department was examining without running afoul of due process.
DepEd has issued a show cause order to Salugpungan Ta’tanu Igkanugon Community-owned and operated schools. The schools, spread across Davao region particularly in the remote lumad (indigenous) areas, have about 1,100 learners (based on 2018-2019 records).
Atillo said they were not a stamping pad of the military, judging by the show cause order which provides the venue for Salugpungan to controvert the allegations of Esperon.
Atillo added that as early as 2015 they had urged those with allegations against Salugpungan to provide DepEd with concrete evidences that can stand in court.
He said no one stepped forward until Esperon submitted his reports with documented evidences and affidavits.
“That was the time when it reached the hands of the Department of Education and we answered through Secretary (Leonor) Briones who ordered DepEd Region 11 to suspend the provision of the permits and recognition certificates to Salugpungan Ta’Tanu Igkanugon,” Atillo said.
He said the release of decision on the applications of Salugpungan will be held in abeyance pending the finding of DepEd.
“This is still a suspension, we have not declared a closure,” Atillo said. (PIA-11)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1024597
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