Digital Campus Journalism Angeles City

Cabalen Today November 26, 2020 NEWSLET TER DepEd says no to face-to-face class until vaccine arrives by: Mikaela Keana P. Miguel With the continuous rise of COVID-19 cases in the country, face-to-face learn- ing modality for this school year will not be allowed by the Department of Educa- tion, said Education Secretary Leonor Briones in the Palace press briefing last Tuesday. “We are studying that pos- sibility but definitely not this year and definitely not until the President makes a pronouncement,” said Briones during the report. DepEd also reported that it is looking into having face-to-face classes next year in places that are declared “absolutely safe”. However, health assessment and implementation of safety protocols will HOME-BOUND. Education Secretary Leonor Briones be set by the Department of Health and he stresses in a media briefing that no physical classes are Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging In- to be held this academic year as the nation awaits a vaccine. (Photo Courtesy: mb.com.ph) fectious Diseases to said “safe” areas. t Moreover, the current learning set-up utilized by the DepEd includes home-based learning modalities such as learn- ing through radio and television, modular learning, online learning, and a combination of the modalities called blended learning. Angeles City local gov’t lends tablets to public school studes by: Mikaela Keana P. Miguel TABLETS FOR ALL. Angeles City Mayor Carmelo ing provided with free tablets by the local government to Lazatin, Jr. personally turns over devices to Angeles aid students in online distance learning. Allotted online learning tools will be given to City Science High School to aid their students in Grade 4 to Grade 12 public school students as well as pub- online learning. (Photo Source: City Information Office lic school teachers in the 53 public schools. However, these gadgets are only to be lent to the Angeles City) students and should be returned to their respective schools by the end of the academic year, as these will be used by “No Angeleño child [shall be] left behind when it public school students in the next year. comes to education.” Currently, the local government has already hand- Thus, promised by City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, ed out 40,269 tablets to 37 of the 53 public schools and Jr. on the regard to the education of Angeles City youth aims to distribute 17,731 tablets to remaining schools in amidst the coronavirus pandemic and the challenges posed the coming days. by distance learning. The devices were personally distributed to pub- Hence, several Angeles City public schools are be- lic schools by the City Mayor, along with the Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo Lazatin II, Mayor’s Office Record’s Section Head Jermaine Aguila, and the Information Communication Technology Division Offi- cer-in-Charge Michael Lising.

Editorial Cabalen 02 TODAY Digital learning: a practical alternative or an addition to a plethora of problems? Digital learning, during this time of ated. New methods and techniques response in providing quality education pandemic, favors only those who were established to ensure the con- to students is inadequately addressed. are lucky and privileged enough tinuous learning process that stu- This only shows the government’s seri- to have proper equipment for their online dents should attain. Last October ous negligence and dereliction of its duty classes, and is not an effective way for stu- 5, 2020, classes resumed in public during this time of a pandemic. dents to push through with their educa- schools nationwide, but not every In conclusion, this unprece- tion. student decided to return to school. dented time has gravely affected every The interrelated nature of the According to data gath- individual, specifically the poor and mar- world has been manifested due to the ered by the Department of Educa- ginalized, mainly because government COVID-19 pandemic – and that no one tion, only 89% of the student pop- officials utilized the Philippines’s current is safe until everyone is safe. Numerous ulation last school year decided to situation with the COVID-19 pandem- things have changed as a result of this continue their basic education this ic as an excuse for its shortcomings and pandemic. During this time of the year, school year. Therefore, it seems that dig- incompetency. As the nation reels from students would normally be at school on ital learning has served as a dividing line this pandemic, the citizens highly expect weekdays broadening their minds, so- between the privileged and underpriv- action from the government. It should be cializing with their friends, and hanging ileged. Learning before the pandemic during these darkest times that leaders out after classes. Since the world is in the only revolved around the use of books, are to be tested under extreme circum- middle of a global health crisis, we cer- pens, and other school necessities. But stances. If the government cares for its tainly cannot do any of these things now. today, getting hold of education seems to citizens, why are some students still left Everyday life has been disrupted because strongly depend on whether a student is behind? of COVID-19 and the whole world is at capable of purchasing any kind of gadget a halt. During this unprecedented time, and having a stable Internet connection. people’s outlook and way of living conse- Numerous complaints and clamors were quently resulted in dramatic effects over made by those who are severely affected a long period due to the magnitude of by this new method of learning. How- the current issue. ever, the Philippine government is still One of the biggest factors that receiving flak for its supposed shortcom- was affected by the pandemic is educa- ings in terms of handling the pandemic tion. Nowadays, online classes or digital and giving the appropriate help and sup- learning are the new buzzwords in the port that students need to keep up with said field. This is because of the huge im- the learning process. pact that this global health crisis has cre- Evidently, the country’s overall A Call for More by: Mikaela Keana P. Miguel SPIT ORSWALLOW In these trying times, several news outlets, organi means to afford proper attire to observe the protocols. zations, and other media have featured the chang And these forms of incompetence have enforced the Filipino es that the pandemic’s onslaught inflicted on the bayanihan spirit to take the lead, leaving the responsibility to private sectors, E Mdiitk oareilaalMWirgiuteelr Filipino people, how the virus left our fellowmen local government units, and individuals. helpless and more vulnerable and the current state of However, one must not be derailed from the supposed essence of our affected kababayans living in other countries. these that is to expose the government’s lack of efficient measures in address- Fueling into the fire is an immensely disappointing feat by the gov- ing the crisis; to which has caused mismatched responses by the seemingly ernment that was evident from the day-to-day broadcasts that is apparent incompetent administration, severely burdened those that have already been lack of prioritization of more critical national matters: addressing the pan- living in substandard living conditions and are limited to even the most basic demic, providing assistance to the disadvantaged, and supporting the health- necessities, and enslaved the frontline workers to hours of heat, discomfort and care system. fear of catching the virus. Although the President has taken hold of emergency powers since In light of all these, one must not forget that it is an imperative duty June of 2020, it did not speed up response and provision in dealing with the as a Filipino to magnify and be part of the voices that demand for more. As the disease. Instead, it has resorted to leadership that is centered in military control Filipino people are deserving of more from the regime who have been seated and the con to serve the people, not the people to them. raction of the COVID-19 would have the citizens to blame for their being so- called pasaway. The military-centered approach of eradicating the virus has editorial board resulted in arrests of high-profile individuals, media network shutdowns, and Mikaela Miguel Petrang Kabayo Enteng Kabisote the approval of the unconstitutional Anti-Terrorism Law. News Writer Feature Writer Editorial Cartoonist The poor implementations and system that the government has en- Bea Mercado Mang Kepweng Pedro Penduko acted over the course of the lockdown has resulted in underprivileged commu- Editorial Writer Sports News Writer Photojournalist nities suffering unnecessarily with several detained for quarantine violations Christine Mercado and some shot to death by the police, without mind of their possible lack of Layout/Graphic Artist

Cabalen TODAY 03 FEATURE The Voiceless Speaks Photo courtesy: https://www.nytimes.com/ by: Bea Mercado Oppressors march on the streets with hands clasped Ambiguous, unafraid, and with their in- tentions masked They prance and glide, eyes filled with pride Glowering at those on the other side The masses demand and clamor for help Leaving people with no option but to yelp A country filled with cries and bloodshot eyes People remaining powerless is what it implies We can’t be blamed for baring our teeth Photo courtesy: voanews.com in anger When the burdens we carry get increas- The Cry of Muted ingly heavier Resilience Our rights and power have already been taken and defiled by: Mikaela Keana P. Miguel Should we also let the voice of the peo- ple to be declined? We’re fervid and firm, you see. So, you, me, and the youth of today Whatever trouble it be: Should hand in hand look and fight for a Oppressed by a policy way Or masked by veiled entities. We’ll hide no more and march on our streets So, face the morrow chins As we support the weak and help the high. voiceless speak Look back on our strength and cry: “Adversity may come by: Still, the eagle will glide skies.” Photo courtesy: foreignpolicy.com