Recurring suspension of classes is simply not normal 

Whenever heavy rains pour due to Habagat or typhoons, floodwaters rise, or a transport strike occurs, the education of the youth is among the first things to be affected. Classes are suspended to safeguard the lives and safety of students, academic and co-academic personnel. There is nothing wrong with suspending classes when necessary; in fact, it is crucial for preventing accidents and hazards. Yet, a question repeatedly troubles many citizens: Why do classes seem so easily disrupted, while the salaries, bonuses, and privileges of certain government officials appear to remain untouched?

This situation is nothing new in the Philippines. Even a brief period of heavy rain can cause street flooding, prevent students from attending class, and force schools, colleges, and universities to suspend operations. Safety must be the priority during typhoons, while transport strikes make it difficult for students and teachers to reach school. These events are part of the reality for a country constantly grappling with issues regarding infrastructure, public transportation, drainage systems, and disaster preparedness. 

The issue however goes beyond the mere class suspension. The greater concern is why ordinary citizens are the ones who frequently bear the brunt of problems that the government ought to be addressing. When floods strike, students lose valuable days of learning. When public transport is unavailable, workers struggle to get to work. When roads deteriorate, citizens suffer through traffic congestion and incur additional expenses. Meanwhile, officials accountable for poor public service often continue to receive their salaries, bonuses, allowances, and other benefits. 

May tongpats din ba? Meron! (Or maleta to some.)

It is even more infuriating when there are reports and allegations of corruption and the misuse of public funds. Money that should be allocated for flood control, efficient drainage systems, sturdy school buildings, safe transportation, and other public services can be squandered due to corruption. When this occurs, it is not just money that is lost; the youth also lose the opportunity for a proper and uninterrupted education. The public is losing trust in the government.

This does not mean that classes should be forced to continue when weather conditions are hazardous. Safety should not be sacrificed merely for the sake of keeping education going. The real solution lies in creating conditions that minimize the need to suspend classes. What we need are real –- not ghosts –- and better flood-control projects, more efficient drainage systems, safer school buildings, more reliable public transportation, and a clearer, quicker disaster response system.

Trapos (traditional officials ) must also be held accountable. Their positions are not privileges without obligations; they are responsibilities entrusted to them by the Filipinos. Funds allocated for a project must go toward that project. Promised programs must be properly implemented. If an official is proven to have stolen funds or abused their power, they must be held accountable under the law, regardless of their position or connections.

Education should not be treated as something easily cast aside. Every day lost in class can mean lessons unlearned, exams unprepared for, and skills left unhoned. While it is true that lessons can be caught up on, repeated disruptions inevitably affect the quality of learning. This is especially difficult for students who lack adequate internet access, gadgets, a quiet place to study, or alternatives to face-to-face classes. Special thanks to short-term teachers, instructors, and professors who have a great amount of dedication to preparing lessons early, only to find out that classes are suspended, resulting in loss of earnings at times.

RECURRING DISRUPTION IS NOT NORMAL

The issue is not merely rain, floods, or transport strikes. It is about the quality of governance experienced by the ordinary Filipino. We must not accept as normal the recurring disruption of education caused by problems that should have been resolved long ago. Nor should the lack of accountability among corrupt officials be considered normal.

Classes may be suspended when necessary, but the search for solutions must not be suspended. The government must not stop working toward better infrastructure, education, transportation, and public services. And above all, a culture of corruption and a lack of accountability must not become the norm.

The true measure of a government is not the size of the salaries or bonuses its officials receive, but how effectively it protects and serves its tax-paying citizens. As students are repeatedly forced to stay home due to rain, floods, or a lack of transportation, we must ask: when will the problems causing all this finally be fixed? And when will those who failed to resolve them be held accountable?

For while classes may be suspended due to calamities, there should be no suspension of accountability, service, and integrity on the part of those entrusted with the public’s trust. 

MAY UGALI

“It’s a fallacy to say na buhay na buhay ang pelikulang Pilipino, buhay na buhay ang Cinemalaya. Ang pelikulang Pilipino ay naghihikahos. At bakit? Dahil almost P800 million ang kinita ng ‘Spider-Man’ at almost P500 million ang kinita ng ‘The Odyssey’… Hindi presyo ng ticket ang problema. Ang problema ay ang attitude ng Pilipino sa pelikulang Pilipino.” 

Thus spoke Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman Jose Javier Reyes.

Do we really know how to help ourselves?

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