Proactive or Provocative

Hey, at least, City Hall suspended classes at 11 pm, last Monday. That’s some pogi/ganda points for proactivity, and expression of concern for pupils from kindergarten to elementary, and students from Grades 7 to 12 who would in high probability get soaked with rain water, had classes continued in torrential rains. This is good, and we give you a two thumbs up for not waiting until the next day, and most of all, for actually suspending classes for a change this time.

However, let’s talk about some points for improvement. Do we really have to wait until late night, an hour before midnight to make that decision on a situation that weather forecast has clearly stated days before? Rest is a very important component of health, of well-being. It would and could do us good if we have our rest early so we could be recharged for the next day. I’m not just referring to physical rest. Mental rest is just as important. If the announcement of suspension had been released earlier, then our minds and bodies would have settled earlier, confident of a safer tomorrow. But instead, we are held in suspense, waiting for the 11th hour, speculating whether the kids have to brave the rains or not. The same goes out to the people who make and release these decisions. You have already worked 8 to 5. If you don’t want to sleep early and you’re the type who stay up late, shouldn’t you rather be watching Netflix and chilling, over waiting for weather forecasts, communicating, discussing, and releasing some announcement that could have been done way earlier. Why not release the announcement at 4 pm before clocking out. It wouldn’t have made much difference. Are we expecting some sudden twist and the weather gets sunny where we are tomorrow? On the other hand, it would have made some difference if the announcement were released earlier. Information would have been relayed and spread earlier. Preparations and adjustments would have been done earlier. Actually, it would have been better if the suspension started a day earlier. Some LGUs and schools had the sense to do it, because early on, forecasts had been saying that there would be moderate to heavy rains.

They say they’re concerned about the students’ learning experience (or something to that effect). Picture this. In a classroom, a teacher continues with his/her lesson to students while rains are raging outside. This is real-life scenario. Some rain may shower through the classroom windows. Water is rising outside. It’s not actually flooding, but puddles are starting to form – little lakes that would sure soak those shoes and socks. On an isolated part of the ceiling, water is dripping. Teacher speaks louder than usual because rain is hitting hard on the roof. By and by, teacher takes some minutes off to send messages or call home or his/her kids to check up on them. Students can’t help noticing the heavy rains outside. They’re getting worried about getting home. I’m not quite sure how much percentage of their minds are on the lesson, and on how to safely get home later. These are people who have undeniably been mentally scarred by Kristine. This scene is their learning experience. Pushing classes to continue in heavy rains actually decreases the efficiency of the “learning experience” that they’re so concerned with. Of course, that given scenario is not 100% true to all classes. But, there’s a very high probability that the situation is true in a large percentage of classes. Are we going to talk about health risks? You all know how it goes. One thing more, why does it get so hard to hitch a ride on a jeepney, tricycle or pedicab come heavy rains? Letting the kids go home late in the afternoon as per regular schedule just lends to health and safety risks. Of course, the longer the time they wait for a ride, the longer that they are exposed to the elements. I believe government agencies have personnel that coordinate the reduction of disaster and risk. Come on, let’s reduce disaster and risk for real. By the looks of it, they’re not really reducing disaster and risk. They seem to be taunting and provoking disaster and risk, trying to see until which point could we bear it and actually get in danger.

While on a national scale former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co “seems to be” provoking the people to turn against and revolt against the President BBM, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. (Hey, wait a minute. Weren’t they friends. I remember that the two of them (Co and Romualdez) were together, with other government officials, at JMR Coliseum last year, when they distributed 5k to teachers and indigents. These two used to be buddies.) Our fellow Bicolano seems to be insisting that the trail ultimately leads up to the President, in efforts to fan the flame of some ouster. It’s in the same vein with the moves that the Duterte supporters have been making, even in that big rally, a couple of months ago. Well, the Filipino people ain’t buying what they’re selling.

Proverbs 29:11: “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”