HOW WILL a candidate for the city council push the agenda for Criminologists? This is a relevant question in this day and age! And I would say, it’s about time that this is tackled seriously in legislation.
Students of Criminology take the board exam after graduating from their course and yet, they are not automatically taken in by the tri-bureau despite their training, skills, and knowledge. There is a gap somewhere and this gap needs to be addressed.
Serious collaborative efforts between the institutions of learning and the tri-bureau comprised of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), fully supported by legislation, will facilitate the ease of employment of Criminologists at the PNP, BJMP, and BFP, and even other law enforcement agencies.
It’s about time the city council gives attention to this gap and provide intervention. We can also include in the proposed Ordinance financial assistance for first-time board exam takers by setting guidelines categorizing their financial capacities which will become the basis for assistance.
The PNP, BJMP, and BFP will benefit from this collaboration, plus the criminal justice education will be elevated to the professional standard it rightfully deserves.
It maybe recalled that a national law provides qualification requirements such as eligibility (licensed Criminologists), or passers of entry exam (like Police Officer Exam, BFP Officer exam, BJMP Officer exam). According to the law, licensed criminologists are exempted from taking these exams while other courses need to undergo and pass the same.
We are hoping that in General Santos City, this will be pushed by our column writer, Belinda Sales Canlas, who is running for city councilor. – Atty. Dodelon Sabijon, Dean, College of Criminal Justice, University of Cebu Main Campus; National Executive Vice President, Professional Criminologists of the Philippines (PCAP); Private Legal Practitioner and Consultant
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If that day has a flavor, I know it wasn’t bland.
The columnist, Ma’am Belinda Sales Canlas and I first met on a table where most folks have stories to recount. And these stories weren’t episodes of grand feats like how the Philippines grabbed its first-ever Olympic gold medal. But these recitations were more like of Whang-Od’s controversy, or shall I say, Onyok Velasco’s forgotten reward?
So, untamed by the atrocious litanies that busted her ears, Ma’am Bebett (to close friends and family) just snapped, “That isn’t right.” And that hour, I felt heard. Finally, someone now understands. That we aren’t doormats. That we must contend against abuse in whatever form. That standing for what is right isn’t rebellion but a punch of courage to defy anything that is incongruous to what is faultless and moral. And these things, she let me grasp.
Admittedly, I was quite intimidated by her brainpower as if her neurons were born elite. And if she would take a role in Veronica Roth’s book series where society is divorced in five sects, you can’t confine her to only reside in the erudite community. I bet she would also be like Tris – a divergent. And yes, she is. Because she won’t blend and bend for something that contests and refutes the virtues that can benefit many. She is unyielding. She won’t give in.
But she isn’t just this strong-willed woman who’s got Katniss Everdeen’s nerve to defy the crooked and fiendish president of Panem, she’s got a soft spot too. When she picked up the news about my mother’s death, she lent her hand without uncertainty and delay. We weren’t even close then and since my husband collaborates with her on a project, she asked the company where she works at the time to extend some financial assistance to our bereaved family. It wasn’t a small amount of money. But she worked on it anyway. And to a family who has been financially exhausted and has lost all the means to find some resources, it was a huge relief indeed. God sent an angel.
In these times when people are like scavengers, self-preoccupied, untruthful, and complacent, there are still a few who took the different way. People who don’t conceal themselves in sheep’s clothing but are willing to share a portion of themselves so others can find a piece of solace. Ma’am Bebett is like this to me. And so, I thought she was just a tale. But, hey, she isn’t. – Mharnie L. Dandan, writer
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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
