2 | On trainings and teacher’s exodus

3 | Securing safety

4 | The perks of eye phone

4 | The curios case of HIV

Inflation boosts BXU pedi cab drivers

BUTUAN CITY – A non-
motorized public
transport or tricycle rick-
shaw drivers took the ad-
vantage of earning mon-
ey from the passengers of
Butuan City earlier this
year. A number of pedi-
cab units found signifi-
cant difference in the
number during the two-
year period (2016-2018).
In an interview with
Ronald Baldesores, 46
years old who had been
residing at Langihan for
19 years stressed that the
increase of prices of the
basic commodities nowa-
days almost doubles the
number of pedicab driv-
ers to operate within the
city. An estimate of 1,600
pedicab units are made
available to the public for
the time being.
“I am one of those
new drivers who were
motivated to try driv- prefer riding a trisikad homes. --Jemson B. Palin
ing a pedicab due in going to and from
to a higher fare col- their respective
lected from our pas-
sengers”, said Balde-
sores.
Further, he added
that if the local gov-
ernment does not
pay attention by
regulating this
matter, it would
threaten the
tourism and
give its impact
on the mar-
ginalized
learners
who
would
FOR BETTER OR WORSE: A pedicab driver doubled his time driving just to survive the test of time. © Jem-
son B Palin

Parents approve teacher trainings Pedicab drivers’ poll on their perceptions

on class days
In one of the calls of
Dr. Francis Cesar Bringas,
DepEd Caraga Regional
Director to have the
teachers trained during
summer, parents agree
that in-service trainings of
teachers be held on week-
days.
Mrs. Lucia Jimenez, 43,
resident of Brgy. Ongyong,
Butuan City and a mother
there are in-service train-
ings of DepEd teachers
helped her a lot in send-
ing her children to school
and sustained the needs
of her family
“Personally, there’s no
problem with me as re-
gards teachers’ trainings
during class days”.
Jimenez remarked, “ Fur-
ther, she added that It
for inflation
The present scenario on the
increasing number of pedicab driv-
ers who took advantage of col-
lecting higher fares from their
passengers discouraged a number
of students to attend to their clas-
ses regularly. The inflation of fuel
Perceptions of Pedicab drivers on Inflation
11
price which does not affect the
majority of the number of drivers
is one of the reasons. The chart
shows the drivers perceptions on
the effects of inflation to their
daily living.
9

of 3 elementary school would just be okay with

children was one of those
parents who were happy
that there are seminars
scheduled even before
summer time.
For her, being hired for
a part time job by any of
the hotels in town when
her. In fact, it helps the
teachers learn more and
share more of the learn- 12
ings they got from the
trainings to their students
18
when they return to their
respective classrooms. -- Greatly affects Slightly affects Does not affect Undecided
Jemson B. Palin

2 EDITORIAL
Karen Michelle R. Magnaye
I Click therefore I
Am
Strong establishment
of campaigns against the
overexposed of individu-
als in social networking
sites.
Anytime and any-
where we can have ac-
cess to the internet. We
can easily do surfing in a
matter of seconds. Mostly,
all of us cannot go a day
without gadgets. In addi-
tion, these are mainly use
for studying, entertain-
ment, and communica-
tion with friends and fami-
ly. Dealing in this powerful
and influential media can
affect our day-to-day
tasks.
Social Medias are
used to speak up our
minds. In this point, we
might take responsible in
doing so. We might get
hurt, distracted, and
abuse by someone who is
reading our thoughts
through the posted pho-
tos, comments and any
form of asserting.
Awareness is the key in
using the social media the
way it was supposed to
be. We must be wise
enough to use this ubiqui-
tous media. Consequent-
ly, these can ruined or de-
stroyed the relationship
among friends, col-
leagues, and even fami-
lies. When this happens, it
will be difficult and impos-
sible to recover. We might
be held accountability of
On trainings
and
teachers’
exodus
Recently, as if teachers’
outages from their classrooms
run in a fluid state. Just as this
school year started, an ava-
lanche of seminars and the
like, division, region, and na-
tional prompted teachers to
leave their classrooms to
attend the objective to up-
grade the teachers’ compe-
tencies and what else there
maybe.
This is so, because the
Department of Education
would wish to ensure that
every K to 12 teacher should
be armed to teeth with the
tool of the teaching trade so
that quality education is actu-
alized or maximized. This sce-
nario is sickening and this
case should not be.
8 out of 10 students claim
that the momentum of their
interest to study will hinder
considering the absence of
the teacher. The students that
will be left behind are locked
into trajectories of
‘underperformance’ that
often lead to disengagement,
poor attendance and early
exit from school.
A psychological effect on
part of the student may also
be considered. As teacher
make commitments to con-
tribute to education develop-
ment and embark on a pro-
cess that will foster continu-
what we publish and
broadcast in a single
click.
9 out 10 students
have social media ac-
counts in different social
networking sites. Our
young ones are the
ones who suffer from this
situation. Photos and
videos might be edited
and can be viewed dif-
ferent from what was
ous growth through going out
for seminars. The students
who are left behind will suffer
a different classroom approach
with the replacement teacher
that may lead to separate
them from learning. Students,
in turn, may perceive that the
teacher does not understand
or care about them. The teach-
er, in an effort to address the
needs of all students, may end
up addressing the needs of
none.
In a sharing given by one
of the EPS in Surigao City divi-
sion, Mr. Ricky L. Pedralba dur-
ing the research forum men-
tioned that study shows the
teachers’ lack of contact days
to her students has a big im-
pact on their performance. Out
of 60 schools there were 10 of
them in which classes have
been compromised due to the
absence of a replacement
teacher because the school is
already lack of teachers.
Comparison between the
utilized replacement or substi-
tute teacher and the teacher
himself will come out on the
part of the student that leads
real. They might be bul-
lied through these in-
stances. In this perspec-
tive, it will lead them to
low self-esteem, being
alone, lost appetite, and
withdrawal from friends
and family.
Generally, social net-
working can help us ex-
plore and learn new
knowledge. We may be
pleased by different of-
to developed bias in trusting
the teacher regarding his ca-
pacity to teach.
Today, there has been
increasing commitment to
schools where both students
and teachers can learn. This
heightened interest in
“embedded teaching-learning
process”. Since teachers spend
the majority of their profes-
sional time in classrooms and
schools. And those enhance-
ment activities like seminars
provided by division, region,
and national can help teacher
to capitalize their efforts to
ensure efficient and effective
implementation of the goal of
education in a value-laden
manner. It’s important to be
flexible in rearranging plans
and having backups for any
activities might disrupt the
normal routine of the class-
room. On second thought,
teacher will make a DLP, SIM
or any activity materials relat-
ed to teaching-learning pro-
cess before she left the stu-
dents in the school for the said
purpose, to avoid constraints
in providing good and quality
education. (n)
ferings of social media
however always remem-
ber the consequences.
This powerful tool has in-
deed put us all in free-
dom of whatever we
wanted to do. At the end
of this circumstance,
clicking without thinking
well, will lead to dangers.
Be sensible and account-
able of what we do.

3 FEATURE
Livin’ on a
prayer
Pedalling quickly, Demetrio
Atis talks to passengers heading
for Balanghai Hotel. He keeps
thinking of the money he can
bring home.
“It is a happy day when I earn
P300. But that happens rarely.
Usually, I earn from about P150-
P180, with P70 to be deducted for
the pedicab rental.”
Life has not been fair for
Demetrio Atis. Losing a 2-month-
old son recently from a heart
condition, he can’t help but feel
that society has ignored him.
“Life is hard. I sometimes
stay up at night from worry. Yet, I
know that God will never leave us
alone.”
“P 600 in a day is barely
enough to keep my family alive
and healthy.” Arthur Nugas, a 46-
year-old vendor and a father of
four, smiled at customers who
had booked at Balanghai Hotel
and are inquiring about the price
of his jackfruits. His stall, a few
meters away from where Bal-
anghai Hotel stands, is an eye
candy to fruit lovers.
“Half of my daily income is
spent on food. P100 goes to my
two children who go to elemen-
tary school. The other P100 is
spent for expenses such as elec-
tricity and water bills. Often-
times, the money I’m left with at
the end of the day is P50.”
Asked about his plans for the
future of his children, he wishes
that at least one of them com-
pletes a college education. “I
know it seems impossible. But I
keep on hoping that my younger
two children will be able to step
inside a college or university.”
Arthur and Demetrio are just
two of the many individuals trying
to make ends meet, doing their
best to provide for their families,
just outside the air-conditioned
rooms of Balanghai Hotel. Even if
life has been hard, they still be-
lieve in miracles and hope that
someday their children will be
able to stay in air-conditioned
rooms without a worry in the
world. - Richelle C. Jumalon
Securing safety
When I imagine Butuan
City, I picture a city with
heavy traffic, rude strangers
and pickpockets. To my sur-
prise, the city is a haven of
kindness. Strangers in public
utility vehicles helping other
passengers who seem to be
lost. Drivers who are honest
and willing to return even a
few coins for change. This is
the Butuan City I experi-
enced. No wonder when I
booked into Balanghai Hotel,
which is known for its exem-
plary service, I was envel-
oped by a sense of security.
Known for its history,
Balanghai Hotel recognizes
that besides savory meals
and comfort, security is a
huge factor in a person’s hap-
piness. Meeting the needs of
the body through nourish-
ment and shelter allows a
person to exist. Security, on
the other hand, allows a per-
son to grow - expanding
one’s personal and social life.
Security, therefore, in its
presence or absence, greatly
affects a person’s quality of
life.
Butuan City reflects just
that. Security is the key to its
livability and rightly so.
“Butuan City is a safe
place. We live here. We will
die here. From a rate of 1 to
10, I am proud to rate Butuan
City an 8.” These are the
words of Police Inspector
Abelito G. Relatorres, the
Deputy Station Commander
of Police Station 2.
PInsp Relatorres proudly
Always attentive and re-
spectful, Jovany Jarbadan, the
39-year-old supervisor of Bal-
anghai Hotel entertains the
queries of guests.
He has been with Balanghai
for the past 19 years. He rose
through the ranks until he be-
came a supervisor due to his
work ethic and friendly person-
ality.
I first noticed Jovany when
he served me and my co-
confirmed that Butuan City,
with its high rating in securi-
ty, is known to be child-
friendly.
Walking alone from
school, Patriz Jean Fran-
cis C. Uygio-
co,
THE PRICE OF PEACE: PInsp Relatorres verifies Butuan City’s security
© Leslie Anne S. Bajan
13, felt safe enough to talk to
random strangers. “I gener-
ally do not trust strangers.
Yet, here in Butuan, it is rare
to hear of crimes committed
against children. I feel safe
enough to walk alone. So far,
nothing bad has happened to
me. On a scale from 1 to 10,
I give Butuan City a rate of
8.”
These comments reveal a
Butuan that is not only pros-
perous in terms of money,
but a Butuan that is rich in
peace. This has a trickle-
down effect to the very peo-
ple who choose to lead their
lives in this city. Workers feel
safe in going about their live-
lihoods. Vendors experience
no worry hawking over their
goods on the sidewalks. Par-
ents feel no anxiety in letting
their children walk alone
from home to school and
Joyful service
teachers our lunch. Ever atten-
tive, he was quick to respond to
customers’ needs through his
speech and body language. His
demeanor is of someone who is
worthy of trust and confidence.
“Smile the stresses away.
That is how I live my life. In my
years of stay here in Balanghai,
I’ve encountered all kinds of
people. Handling difficult peo-
ple is no longer a cause for wor-
ry.” With his motto, Jovany is
back. Often, people take
these things for granted. Yet,
security which serves as a
bedrock in the operation of a
community ensures that a
better quality of life - educa-
tion, work and leisure – is ac-
cessible to many.
Far and wide across the
country, cities which are
proud to be known as eco-
nomic powerhouses should
look to Butuan. Cities should
recognize that economic pros-
perity alone does not auto-
matically translate to a high
quality of life. Kindness of
strangers, a sense of safety –
these may sound simple, but
from these simple things, life
becomes better for all. From
a sense of safety, people are
given access to dream and
aspire for more. - Richelle C.
Jumalon
always ready to face the chal-
lenges every single day brings.
“I like my job. It gives
me the opportunity to give com-
fort. Here in Balanghai, we feel
comfort when the guests receive
comfort from us.”
Indeed, the world
needs more people with the
compassion and courtesy of
Jovany. It is people like him who
make life a breeze. - Richelle C.
Jumalon
 The age of digital
technology is evident around
us and yet all this exposure to
different screen media has
caused dangers to its users.
One way or another,
digital technology paves way
to easy access to information
around us.
Facebook,
youtube, twitter,
online games and
more are the most
common applications
that children and
even adults enjoy
using their gadgets.
Mrs. Karen
Magnaye, a teacher
and participant of the
seminar, can attest to
the benefits of technology and
at the same time she also de-
nounces the ill-effect brought
on by excessive use of gadgets.
“I was 20 years old
when I started to wear pre-
scription glasses and the oph-
thalmologist said that my
nearsightedness was mostly
The curious case
of HIV
Perturbing eleva-
tion rate of HIV in Caraga
Health authorities
have reported an increase in
the number of HIV cases in
Caraga region. HIV or Human
Immunodeficiency Virus is a
lentivirus (a subgroup of ret-
rovirus) that causes HIV in-
fection and over time Ac-
quired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome (AIDS). In most
cases, HIV is a sexually trans-
The perks of
Screen Media
eye phone
commonly used by participants
caused by the extended ma-
nipulation of gadgets,” she
said.
Dr. Yvonne Dano, an
opthalmologist, explained
that constant exposure to
screen time causes a couple of
different problems, like digital
eye strain, blurred vision, dry-
ness, runny eyes, or head-
mitted infection and occurs
by contact with or transfer of
blood, pre-ejaculate, semen,
and vaginal fluids. Non-
sexual transmission can oc-
cur from an infected mother
to her infant through breast
milk.
As of February 2018
alone, out of 12 cases, 100
percent is acquired through
sexual contact in which 8
(66.7 percent) is through
aches which are termed Com-
puter Vision Syndrome.
Negative effects are
more susceptible to children
because of their eagerness
and interest in technology.
She added, “My
children no longer leave the
house to play with neighbors.
homosexual contact and two
of these newly infected are
aged 15 years old according
to Joy Dyana V. Cervantes,
regional HIV and AIDs coordi-
nator of DOH (Department of
Health) region 13 office.
Asked about the
issue, Mr. Ricky L. Pedralba,
one of the region’s division
supervisors stressed the im-
portance of sex education
which is timely with the cur-
rent situation in the region.
Integration of this to the cur-
riculum will promote aware-
ness to the young, particular-
ly, adolescent learners, who
Once they get home from
school, all they face are their
gadgets.”
Most of the children
nowadays are technologically
adept than adults yet this not
only causes harm to children
but also to their studies be-
cause of addiction to comput-
er games.
are exposed to the different
forms of media and are more
vulnerable to the risks.
Campus journalism
paves way for children to be-
come aware of this as they
tackle various issues and
events in the country.
HIV is a weighty and sensitive
issue that affects not just a
region but the whole country.
We need to develop a sense
of urgency to resolve this
matter. Now is the best time
to make a move and join the
fight against HIV in our coun-
try. - Leslie Anne S. Bajan