ANTIQUE – Beginning Monday, Sept. 25, the principal of Laua-an National High School (NHS) in Laua-an, Antique will be on a work-from-home setup.
Laua-an’s Mayor Aser Baladjay confirmed that Department of Education 6 (DepEd-6) regional director Dr. Ramir B. Uytico issued a memorandum order addressed to Principal Venus Divinia Nietes on this.
On Sept. 19, Laua-an NHS students, parents and teachers staged a protest appealing for a new school principal who does not abuse administrative power and knows how to manage a school effectively.
Head Teacher Joemarie Jungco was designated as the officer-in-charge of the school.
However, Baladjay is not satisfied with the action taken by the DepEd regional office.
Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) banning period prohibits the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Antique from transferring Nietes to another school.
“Ginpanaogan na sang memorandum order si Ms. Nietes nga she will work from home kay ti indi man mapahalin subong kay tungod nga banning period na subong kay BSKE,” Baladjay said in an interview with DYRI RMN Iloilo.
Baladjay believed the school’s situation would remain the same if Nietes were the head.
“Pero siling ko, ano ang matabo after sang BSKE? Kon pabalikon ninyo na sia, ara ang trauma, ara ang anxiety na naman sa aton mga estudyante kag teachersn,” Baladjay added.
Nietes could not be reached for comment as of this writing.
Uytico, in an official statement on Friday, Sept. 22, said DepEd-6 immediately provided technical and legal assistance but is still waiting for additional documents to be provided by SDO-Antique.
Uytico also directed SDO-Antique, through its Schools Division Superintendent, Nicasio S. Frio and Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Adonis A. Mosquera, to resume normalcy in the said school with the support of its stakeholders./PN
