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Expert: Let firms, not teachers, craft tech-based learning tools

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

By Jomel R. Paguian

RATHER THAN lay the burden on teachers to acquire and produce technology-based learning tools, governments should collaborate with tech companies for such tasks in order to encourage younger talents to embrace the teaching profession, an education technology (EdTech) expert said.

Addressing the 10th Asia Development Bank (ADB) Skills Forum on Tuesday, Institution for a Global Society president Masahiro Fukuhara said the convenience of teachers, aside from students, should be considered in adopting web-based learning tools.

Mr. Fukuhara cited how Japan’s government collaborated with about 50 tech companies to provide students and teachers from each school with modern learning tools.

The initiative was a means to lessen teachers’ burden in adopting technology-assisted learning and to solve the country’s shortage of teachers.

“Japanese government cares about how we can reduce teachers’ burden [which is] one of the reasons why now we can see many Japanese graduates [who] don’t want to become a teacher. The application rate [for teachers] has decreased a lot [because there are] too many burdens, too many tasks,” Mr. Fukuhara said.

In the Philippines, the shortage of teachers has been a problem since 2019. Only 11,023 new teaching positions were filled in 2022, more than 4,000 short of the target of 15,365, the latest Commission on Audit Report showed.

Meanwhile in Indonesia, prioritizing teachers in adopting digital transformation in schools is part of their plan, according to ADB Senior Education Specialist Jeffrey Jian Xu.

“A lot of tools they’re [Indonesian government] looking at first try to empower teachers, making sure [an EdTech tool] really solves a lot of burden for teachers,” he said.

Mr. Xu added that even in schools with limited funding, the Indonesian government eyes to “make sure that every teacher has a laptop, has the quality lesson plans, has the quality materials he can use, knows how to use the right technology and the right content in the classroom.”

“Empowerment of faculty members is the first to do in terms of digital transformation,” Paulina Pannen of Indonesia Cyber Education Institute concurred.

Leveraging digital developments is one of the solutions for the learning crisis affecting 70% of 10-year-olds in low and middle-income countries who cannot read a basic statement, said Leotes Lugo Helin of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Learning Innovation Hub.

Coast Guard to buy 2 planes

THE PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) said on Wednesday that the President has authorized the purchase of two aircraft that would be used by the PCG in monitoring Philippine areas in the South China Sea.

Making the announcement a day after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. graced the 122nd PCG anniversary, Spokesman Armando A. Balilo said the aircraft would be on top of procuring 40 units of 15-meter fast boats.

“The President has also given us the go signal to start the bidding process of two units of 19-seater airplanes that would be used to intensify our maritime domain awareness (MDA) over the West Philippine Sea,” Mr. Balilo told reporters.

He said the PCG is targeting aircraft that would complement the vessels deployed to areas in the South China Sea that fall within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and “other areas of concern while on patrol operations.” 

The PCG earlier asked senators for about P90 billion to buy 30 flag-bearing ships to boost patrols in the disputed maritime areas.

Last month, Vice Admiral Alberto B. Carlos, Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Command chief, said a shift in the “allocation of resources and forces to address external security threats” should be expected.

“It’s a normal tweaking of strategy, normal tweaking of the course of action that you will take considering the situation on the ground,” he said following his statement that the government has been shifting its focus to external defense from internal security.

Philippine congressmen recently decided to realign the confidential funds of civilian agencies to agencies that are involved in the protection of the WPS. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

‘K-to-10’ bill hurdles panel

PHILIPPINE STAR/ WALTER BOLLOZOS

A HOUSE panel approved on Tuesday a bill proposing that after Grade 10, students can either proceed to senior high school or take a techvoc course as an “educational pathway” to pursuing a college degree.

“Basically, what will happen is basic education will be K-to-10. After [Grade] 10, we can have a graduation for basic education [completers]. But if a learner wishes to proceed to a university or a college then there will be an additional two years: Grades 11 and 12, which will be under the DepEd (Department of Education),” House Basic Education Committee Chairman and Pasig Rep. Roman T. Romulo said.

“But if a learner, after completion of Grade 10, wishes to take the techvoc track… we will have an upgraded TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) that will take care of the curriculum together with industry partners,” added Mr. Romulo, who pushed for the proposed Education Pathways Act.

Under the current law, Republic Act No. 10533 (Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013), it takes two more years of basic education — Grades 11 and 12 — before a student can earn a high school diploma.

When the K-to-12 program was institutionalized, the Philippines was the only Asian country and one of three in the world — the others being Angola and Dijbouti — with a 10-year basic education curriculum.

However, Mr. Romulo noted that under the current K-to-12 basic education curriculum, about 30% to 36% of learners are under the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood track.

“We want Filipinos to understand that techvoc globally is highly competitive now and it is a highly skilled profession already unlike how it is being treated right now,” he said.

For students who will enroll in techvoc, TESDA is mandated to create a diverse techvoc program “designed to equip students with practical skills and competencies for specific industries.

In retaining the K-to-12 program as a requisite for admission to a college or university, the bill cites that the DepEd is mandated to “develop and implement a comprehensive curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 that prepares students for admission to colleges and universities.”

The Philippines scored the lowest in reading comprehension and second-lowest in Mathematics and Science in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Beep cards to be replaced

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

ALL-NEW chips for stored-value cards used in various modes of public transportation will be in use by the third quarter of next year, an official of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) revealed.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Tuesday’s railway conference, Transportation Assistant Secretary Jorjette B. Aquino said old chips used for stored-value or “beep” cards used in rail lines, buses, and modern public utility vehicles will eventually use new chips in line with the development of technology.

“The AFCS (automatic fare collection system) team is preparing for that,” she said, adding that there is a need to shift as the manufacturer of the chips upgraded its production line.

Meanwhile, Ms. Aquino said that while there should be enough stored value cards in circulation for railway commuters, there is an artificial shortage. “We do have supply, but what is happening is instead of one card per passenger, some buy five or six cards,” she said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

CoA flags Davao City spending

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

STATE AUDITORS have flagged the Davao City government for P6.45 million in expenditures in 2022 which are deemed inappropriately charged against its development fund.

“Expenditures totaling P6.45 million were inappropriately charged against the 20% development fund, not in accordance with the guidelines set forth under the DBM-DoF-DILG joint memorandum circular no. 1,” the Commission on Audit (CoA) said in its compliance audit report on local government units (LGUs).

The joint circular issued in 2020 by the Departments of Budget and Management, of Finance, and of the Interior and Local Government contained guidelines and policies in utilizing the development fund.

In the case of Davao City, P6.45 million of the development fund was spent on the following: financial assistance to centenarians (P3.2 million), sports festival prizes and other fees (P1.53 million), basketball venue rental (P128,000), and food and catering services (P125,000).

In response, the city’s budget and accounting offices said their management misinterpreted that the flagged expenses were allowed “since they were not among the expenditure items enumerated in item 3.2.5. of [the] joint memorandum circular and they assumed that those items were for the general welfare.”

“Had the management properly identified the specific projects and carefully evaluated the corresponding expenditure items and ensured that these are allowed to be charged against the 20% development fund, the foregoing ineligible disbursements could have been avoided,” CoA also said in its report.

The management “reassured that they will align the calendar year 2023 and the succeeding budgets in compliance” with existing regulations for the fund. Davao City had a total development fund of P2.13 billion for 2022. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

DENR puts land uses on hold

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) told senators on Wednesday that it has put on hold all applications for leases, permits and other agreements on protected lands to give way for a review of how stakeholders and private entities may use these areas. “There are instructions from the Secretary (Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga) that as of yesterday (Oct. 17), we will be issuing a memorandum to all regional directors to suspend, in the meantime, the issuance of the acceptance of all applications for tenurial instruments pending review of this policy,” Environment Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones told a Senate hearing on the DENR’s proposed P24.57-billion budget for next year.

Tenurial instruments are leases, agreements, joint ventures or production sharing agreements, and licenses concerning the development, exploration, and utilization of the country’s natural resources, according to DENR Administrative Order No. 09 published in 2020.

Last month, the DENR suspended an agreement it had with the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI) — currently under investigation for alleged illegal cult practices — for the use 300 hectares of protected land in Socorro town, Surigao del Norte.

The Senate is in the middle of investigating the group’s alleged human trafficking, exploitation, forced labor and child sexual abuse activities.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar told DENR officials that the agency should come up with more measures and use its funding to safeguard the country’s protected lands.

Ms. Villar said the government must harness modern technology like drones and satellite imagery to keep an eye on activities being conducted in protected lands.

“You’re supposed to protect the environment; you’re not the Department of Trade and Industry” she said during the hearing. “We’re not supposed to be doing business in our protected areas.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Bangsamoro LGUs to go digital

COTABATO CITY — Nine more Bangsamoro local government units (LGUs) will give their constituents electronic access to basic services through the digitalization project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Bangsamoro local government ministry.

The Localizing eGovernance for Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS) — bankrolled by the UNDP and first implemented in the municipalities of Butig and Piagapo in Lanao del Sur in 2020 — will soon be launched in Maluso, Basilan; Maimbung and Omar in Sulu; Upi in Maguindanao del Norte; Paglat in Maguindanao del Sur; Wao in Lanao del Sur; Marawi City; and Cotabato City.

Maluso Mayor Hanie A. Bud confirmed on Wednesday having signed the memorandum of agreement for the LeAPS project for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) LGUs.

Upi Mayor Rona P. Flores said the digitalization of LGU operations would improve the delivery of health, social welfare and other basic services to the Muslim, Christian and non-Moro ethnic Teduray communities in the municipality.

Upi has thrice been awarded the Seal of Good Local Governance in the last five years for its efficiency in handling public funds and its extensive peace and security and environmental-protection programs.

BARMM Minister of the Interior and Local Government Naguib G. Sinarimbo and the beneficiary-LGUs shall together set up the electronic digitalization of the public service and administration functionaries of the nine municipalities with the support of the UNDP.
Kalma Jikiri-Isnain, director of the Integrated Resource Development for Tri-people, said they are certain that the effort of the MILG-BARMM and UNDP can also boost their anti-child labor programs in the autonomous region that are being implemented along with the International Labour Organization and the office of Bangsamoro Labor Minister Muslimin Sema. — John Felix M. Unson

Cobra sightings in Benguet raise alarm

BAGUIO CITY — As more incidents of cobra sightings are being reported in the Cordillera Region, the private-run wildlife protection advocacy group Northern Exotics and Wildlife (NEWT) has advised the public to learn about how to react and avoid being attacked.
In the past weeks, photos and videos of snakes believed to be of the Philippine Cobra and even King Cobra species in some barangays and towns of Benguet, near Baguio City, surged on social media sites, alarming residents.

NEWT advisor Sean Frederick T. Serrano, a veterinarian, explained that Philippine Cobra is normally around six feet in length while the King Cobra is around 20 feet in length. Both poisonous, he warned that they are quite common in the Cordillera highlands.

Mr. Serrano said these cobras are increasing in number in the region because of a possible breeding season.

He reminded that grabbing or holding these cobras will prompt them to attack, especially if their head or hood is in a “standing position.”

The more appropriate action to take upon spotting a cobra, according to Mr. Serrano, is to stamp one’s feet on the ground, sing or talk noisily to drive them away.

In case of snake bites, the victim should immediately seek medical attention at the hospital.

Mr. Serrano also reminded the public to report any snake sighting to the authorities and avoid killing them, citing that Republic Act 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act) which prohibits the killing of wildlife animals. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Early campaigning rampant in Mindanao — LENTE

ELECTION watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) on Wednesday said sitting village officials in the Southern Philippines have been illegally seeking support for the upcoming elections through social welfare programs despite a ban on these ahead of the polls.

In a statement, LENTE said village officials seeking reelection in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and in South Cotabato have been giving scholarship grants, and spearheading immunization programs to garner political support.

“Collectively, these programs also fall under the rubric of premature campaigning in the context of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) Elections. These, too, are presumed unlawful unless a prior exemption has been granted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec),” the group said.

“Such practices restrict access to opportunities for public service and reinforce the deeply entrenched dynastic form of politics,” it added.

The Comelec has set the campaign period for village and youth council candidates on Oct. 19, 10 days before the Oct. 30 elections.

LENTE noted that officials from these regions also supposedly donated educational materials and built temporary shelters for residents.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, local officials found guilty of misusing public funds during the spending ban may face up to six years of jail time, a lifetime ban from holding public office.

“LENTE calls upon the public to maintain vigilance regarding the potential politicization of programs and social welfare services, along with instances of the abuse of state resources especially during the campaign period up to the forthcoming election,” LENTE said. — John Victor A. Ordoñez

Philippines starts Para Games in wheelchair hoops vs host China

THE SECOND BATCH OF ATHletes of the National Para Team to the 4th Hangzhou Asian Para Games pose with national team chef de mission Ral Rosario (in dark shirt) after their arrival last Tuesday afternoon at the airport.

HANGZHOU —  With the exception of one judoka who was left at home due to illness, all 72 national para athletes who will see action in the 4th Hangzhou Asian Para Games are present accounted for, according to Philippine chef de mission Ral Rosario.

“We had one judoka who got sick and was unable to make it here, but other than that all of the other 72 athletes are here,” said Mr. Rosario as he met the second batch of the Philippine contingent last Tuesday afternoon at the Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport here.

Composed of 57 athletes and officials, among who arrived were those from archery, judo, powerlifting and table tennis, with national para swimmer Ernie Gawilan, a triple gold medalist in the 2018 3rd Jakarta Para Games. and veteran power lifter Adeline Dumapong among them.

Also arriving late Monday night from Jakarta, Indonesia was chess player Jasper Rom, who won a gold each as the PHL chessers swept the men’s team standard and rapid events five years ago in the Indonesian capital.    

A former national swimming standout, Mr. Rosario said that except for the cool weather in the evening as autumn sets in “all our athletes are adjusting quite well and settling in as they gear for their respective events” in the trip supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

He also praised the Hangzhou Asian Para Games organizers “for being very helpful and accommodating in meeting our needs and requests,” adding that Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) President Mike Barredo was scheduled to arrive Thursday from Manila.

Scheduled on Friday is the welcome ceremony at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games Village for all of the participants in the continental competition in this bustling and progressive port city, according to Mr. Rosario.

With 57 athletes competing in 10 sports, the Philippines brought home 10 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze medals while  winding up 11th in the overall standings in the previous edition of the continental showcase five years ago.

Mr. Barredo said equaling if not surpassing that haul was the goal here, on top of the extra motivation of excelling since some sports such as athletics, swimming, power lifting and archery in the competition also serve as ranking or qualifying meets for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL
The national men’s wheelchair basketball team breaks the ice for Team Philippines against host China no less at the start of the 4th Hangzhou Asian Para Games basketball tournament at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium Thursday.

The Filipino cagers, who will make their debut in the continental meet, take to the floor against the Chinese at 4:15 p.m., with coach Vernon Perea bent on stifling the reputed lethal outside shooting of their hosts in opening Group A action.

“If we can defend well against the outside shooting of the Chinese, we may have a chance against them. But admittedly it will be a hard and tough match for us ,” said the bespectacled mentor of the challenges they face.

The Pilipinas Warriors, as the PHL men’s wheelchair squad is known,  earned their trip here after finishing third in the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation Asia-Oceania Championships last May in Suphanburi, Thailand behind Kuwait and Thailand.

This success was followed by the PHL wheelchair quintet securing a pair of silvers in the men’s 3×3 and 5×5 competitions of the Cambodia ASEAN Para Games a month later.

In the build-up to the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, Mr. Perea’s charges captured the bronze medal in the Yutaka Nakamura Asian Dream Cup International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament in Japan last July.

Mr. Perea bared that they wound up in a tough group that also includes Iran, Thailand, Afghanistan in the outing backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.

He bared  on the eve of the opening match that the team’s morale was high after they won a tune-up match with the Taiwanese 42-36 Wednesday morning before the meet takes a two-day break

Without revealing their total game plan, Mr. Perea said that “we can connect with our inside passes because I believe that our players can battle the Chinese on even terms in and around the basket.”

The Pilipinas Warriors play the Afghans on Friday before the tournament takes a two-day respite for the opening on Sunday.

Nisperos, Sharma-led Akari Chargers face veteran-laden PLDT in PVL All-Filipino tourney

AKARI POWER CHARGERS

Games Thursday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
3 p.m. — Chery Tiggo vs Galeries Tower
5 p.m. — PLDT vs Akari
7 p.m. — Choco Mucho vs Farm Fresh

AKARI’S shock five-set victory over Premier Volleyball League (PVL) powerhouse F2 Logistics Tuesday was a grim reminder to the rest of the league of what forces of nature were inevitably coming.

They are named Faith Nisperos and Fifi Sharma.

Just a couple of days after displaying what everyone knew they’re capable of, rivals-turned-teammates Mmess. Nisperos and Sharma will try to help power the Chargers to their second win in a row against a veteran-laden PLDT squad today in the PVL All-Filipino Conference (AFC) at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

It was the young and talented duo of Mmess. Nisperos and Sharma who starred in Akari’s stunning 21-25, 25-20, 27-25, 19-25, 15-8 win over F2, the third placer of the first AFC early this year.

And they hope to ride on the momentum of their brilliance when they battle the High Speed Hitters at 5 p.m.

“We like to carry on our performance in our next game,” said Ms. Nisperos, a former Ateneo star who dropped 18 points.

“My mindset is to give it our all. We made our mark, we made a statement and we showed,” said Ms. Sharma, a De La Salle University standout who came through with 13 hits including two crucial points late in the fifth and final set.

While Akari is oozing with confidence, PLDT will try to regain it after falling to sister squad Cignal, 25-16, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20, in Sunday’s opener at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Likewise eyeing to remain at the helm is Chery Tiggo, which battles Galeries Tower at 3 p.m.

The Crossovers, paced by siblings Eya and EJ Laure, edged the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22, and would remain at the helm if they could hurdle the High Risers, who fell to the Petro Gazz Angels, 25-11, 26-24, 25-22, Tuesday, in their 3 p.m. clash.

Also lined up in the heavy three-game bill is the 7 p.m. showdown pitting Choco Mucho (0-1) and Farm Fresh (0-1). — Joey Villar

Azkals clash with Vietnam in  World, Asian Cups Qualifiers

PHILIPPINE AZKALS — THE AZKALS/PFL

THE PHILIPPINE Football Federation (PFF) aims to gather at least a 10,000-strong roaring home crowd to rally the Azkals on when they play at the Rizal Memorial Stadium (RMS) in the coming FIFA World Cup-AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Less than a month before the Azkals hit the RMS pitch for the second round of the Qualifiers on Nov. 16 against Vietnam, the PFF launched its “Stand Your Ground: 10K Strong!” battlecry in a bid to entice Pinoy fans back.

“The fans have always played a vital role behind the success of the Men’s National Team,” said PFF President Mariano Araneta.

“As the Azkals embark on another historic World Cup qualifiers campaign, our objective is to make them feel the support of the fans. Let us rally behind our team and show that we can pack Rizal Memorial Stadium. Let us stand our ground for our team and for our country.”

Mr. Araneta envisions a rocking house at the 12,873-seater venue just like in the old days when a crowd-back Azkals scored the country’s breakthrough 1-0 win over Sri Lanka and Stephan Schrock scored his historic goal against Kuwait back in 2011.

Now on the rebuilding stage, the Azkals are set for duels with Vietnam, Iraq and playoffs winner Indonesia in the second round of the home-and-away Qualifiers.

Coached by Michael Weiss, the Philippine XI is wrapping up its 10-day training camp in Bahrain.

The squad lost to the Bahrainis, 1-0, on Ibrahim Al Khattal’s 16th-minute header, in Tuesday’s friendly at the Al Muharraq Stadium. Mr. Weiss’ 132nd-ranked charges previously upset No. 96 Kyrgyzstan on Audi Menzi’s goal, 1-0, in an unofficial tuneup at the same venue Saturday.

PFF General Secretary Mikhail Torre views the campaign as an opportunity to ignite the support for the Azkals and Philippine football on the heels of the Filipinas’ celebrated stint in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.

“We want to finish the year strong,” said Mr. Torre. “Our Filipinas did an amazing job in New Zealand and now it’s the Azkals’ turn to play at home.”

According to Mr. Torre, the campaign is divided into three parts — enjoyable fan experience at the venue, a far-reaching promotional campaign, and consistency of this initiative.

“It is important for the federation to work hand in hand with the fans in order to make this campaign a success,” he said. “We hope this can reignite the fire that once gave people hope that we can perform at the highest level.” — Olmin Leyba

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