Last Sunday, the Department of Education ordered Community Technical College of Southeastern Mindanao (CTCSM), Inc. in Davao de Oro to close because of suspected irregularities in its operations.
This caught the attention of the Megastar’s daughter Frankie Pangilinan who is also known for her honest criticism and opinions of the government,
Frankie posted on her Twitter account that as of now, the novel coronavirus has not affected Lumad communities, “Today I learned that Lumad communities (Filipino indigenous people in Mindanao) haven’t yet had any confirmed cases of COVID, but they’re being exposed to potential infection from the military who continue to storm on their schools and their land.”
today i learned that lumad communities (filipino indigenous people in mindanao) haven’t yet had any confirmed cases of covid, but they’re being exposed to potential infection from the military who continue to storm on their schools and their land.
— kakie (@kakiep83) June 1, 2020
She stressed the risk of the Lumad population of being exposed to possible carriers of the COVID-19 virus due to the military forces storming their territory.
On the Twitter account of the ALCADEC Lumad School, they posted photos of military troops who stormed on their community with no face masks on and no social distancing protocols being followed.
https://twitter.com/alcadevinc/status/1263068170853601281?s=20
Access to adequate health care has always been a problem for indigenous people but displacement puts them at a higher risk of contracting diseases like COVID-19.
The closure order on CTCSM was released on May 22, 2020 by the Regional Director of DepEd 11 Doctor Evelyn Fetalvero, Officer-in-Charge (OIC), on the advice of Superintendent Doctor Eufemia Gamutin, DepEd- Davao de Oro Schools Division.
DepEd 11 spokesman Jenielito Atillo that the decision was based on the findings of the Agency of Quality Assurance Division (QAD),
After the CTCSM applied for a renewal of its authority to operate its Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High School, and Senior High School, a closure order came instead.
“Around 490 learners were listed in the LIS (Learners Information System) but only 253 students were found in the School Form 1. So there is a difference of 237 individuals. Where are these 237 learners now?”
Netizen @KasamangChad also shared his disappointment with the Department of Education on the closure of CTCSM,
SOBRANG NAKAKAGALIT!!!
DEPED has just ordered the closure of (one of) the biggest Lumad schools in Mindanao – CTCSM!! 😤😤
Meron syang kinder, grade school, junior at senior HS, at pina-process na yung sa college with the help of UP!
Pero wala na! Pinasara na! Mga hayop!!! 🤬 pic.twitter.com/ha7MlHsQXO
— Chad Booc (@KasamangChad) June 1, 2020
Along with the photos of the students, Chad also posted the closure order for against Community Technical College of Southeastern Mindanao (CTCSM).
The closure order was from DepEd Davao with email at region11@deped.gov.ph and FB at https://t.co/RQpnynqOqh
But for sure, under to ng command ng NTF-ELCAC at AFP na pinondohan ng 36 billion ni Duterte!!! pic.twitter.com/dZ3aljFUDT
— Chad Booc (@KasamangChad) June 1, 2020
Given the pandemic, displaced indigent students remained focused on their education, seeing it as a way to defend their ancestral lands no matter how far from home they may be.
https://twitter.com/CHE0LIES/status/1265905186351886336?s=20
https://twitter.com/TheBinsoy/status/1267341083115053057?s=20
https://twitter.com/kookifluff/status/1267385046253498369?s=20
