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Destroyed portion of a "Riprap project" at Otto Lingue
National high School in Pagadian City
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MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Students and teachers of Otto Lingue National High School in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
are at risk of an impending landslide amid heavy rains. School
principal Tess Tarranza said the landslide wall protecting the school
building is ruptured so deeply, it is on the verge of collapse and not one
government official has taken any action despite countless appeals to
local authorities.
But after almost 2,000 people signed this petition on Change.org, her appeal to repair the landslide wall has now turned into a national campaign. The online petition calls on Zamboanga del Sur Congressman Victor Yu and Pagadian Mayor Samuel Co to act urgently to ensure thesafety of the students and teachers before a tragedy strikes the school.
“God knows I have exhausted all efforts but the urgent action to fix this dangerous situation has never come. I am running out of ideas to save the school. As a school head, I have the great responsibility to ensure the safety of my teachers and students from a possible catastrophe. We hope that this petition on Change.org will convince government agencies, even private individuals or organizations to provide immediate help,” said Tarranza.
The Landslide Wall petition, started by Faye Reyes, an infomediary for CheckMySchool.org, collected more than 1,700 signatures in one day. It now has 1,925 signatures as of press time.
“We didn’t expect to gather support from this many people all across the country in such a short amount of time. We felt so helpless before, and now, this is giving us hope.” said Tarranza.
The principal added that students and teachers are afraid every time the heavy rains would come. All they could do is loosen the nails holding the windows, hoping it will be easier for the students and teachers to escape if there is a landslide.
“The rupture of the wall has recently worsened. The soil has also started to erode blocking the middle part of the canal. We received information from the city engineer’s office that we just have to wait for the dry season before it can be fixed, but I worry it will be too late” she said.
A few parents have expressed their intention to transfer their children to another school - but many don’t have that choice. The students, Tarranza said, are mostly indigents, while some belong to the Subanen tribe. There are some who hike three to four hours everyday just to come to school. She describes them as the most hard-working and courteous students she has ever handled in her career as an educator.
“This is a demonstration of how ordinary people can hold elected officials accountable,” said Christine Roque, Campaigner for Change.org Pilipinas. “It just shows how the power of individuals can make a significant difference in a community in need. Otto Lingue National High School’s problem has long been ignored but because of this petition and the hundreds rallying behind her, the officials are now starting to listen.”
For more information or to schedule an interview, use the contact details at the top of the page. (By PECOJON)
Related article:
But after almost 2,000 people signed this petition on Change.org, her appeal to repair the landslide wall has now turned into a national campaign. The online petition calls on Zamboanga del Sur Congressman Victor Yu and Pagadian Mayor Samuel Co to act urgently to ensure thesafety of the students and teachers before a tragedy strikes the school.
“God knows I have exhausted all efforts but the urgent action to fix this dangerous situation has never come. I am running out of ideas to save the school. As a school head, I have the great responsibility to ensure the safety of my teachers and students from a possible catastrophe. We hope that this petition on Change.org will convince government agencies, even private individuals or organizations to provide immediate help,” said Tarranza.
The Landslide Wall petition, started by Faye Reyes, an infomediary for CheckMySchool.org, collected more than 1,700 signatures in one day. It now has 1,925 signatures as of press time.
“We didn’t expect to gather support from this many people all across the country in such a short amount of time. We felt so helpless before, and now, this is giving us hope.” said Tarranza.
The principal added that students and teachers are afraid every time the heavy rains would come. All they could do is loosen the nails holding the windows, hoping it will be easier for the students and teachers to escape if there is a landslide.
“The rupture of the wall has recently worsened. The soil has also started to erode blocking the middle part of the canal. We received information from the city engineer’s office that we just have to wait for the dry season before it can be fixed, but I worry it will be too late” she said.
A few parents have expressed their intention to transfer their children to another school - but many don’t have that choice. The students, Tarranza said, are mostly indigents, while some belong to the Subanen tribe. There are some who hike three to four hours everyday just to come to school. She describes them as the most hard-working and courteous students she has ever handled in her career as an educator.
“This is a demonstration of how ordinary people can hold elected officials accountable,” said Christine Roque, Campaigner for Change.org Pilipinas. “It just shows how the power of individuals can make a significant difference in a community in need. Otto Lingue National High School’s problem has long been ignored but because of this petition and the hundreds rallying behind her, the officials are now starting to listen.”
For more information or to schedule an interview, use the contact details at the top of the page. (By PECOJON)
Related article:
