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By: Joanna C. Guerrero, GPC-SP | Photos By: SP | Date: July 21, 2022
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee on Education headed by Board Member (BM) Cynthia Bacurnay conducted a committee hearing on July 21, 2022 at the SP Building, City of San Fernando, La Union. The discussion revolved on possible legislative measures that may arise from the case of John Rosaldo, a nursing graduate from Lorma Colleges who went viral on social media after his sibling posted about him being deprived of his privilege to march on stage during his graduation day last June 23 due to unprocessed graduation fee.
The hearing was held after BM Joy R. Ortega raised the issue on her privilege speech during the regular SP session last July 12 enjoining fellow public servants to come up with legislative actions in preventing the same situation from happening again in the future.
Aiming to uphold the rights of every student, Board Member Ortega, proposed to come up with an ordinance on the Magna Carta for Students in private schools standardizing the school systems especially on the collection of fees. She reiterated that a more considerate and humane policy, especially to less fortunate students, is needed to champion quality yet affordable education.
BMs Ruperto Rillera, Geraldine Ortega, Victor Rivera and Henry Balbin, were among the board members who backed up the proposal of BM Joy Ortega during the hearing. They expressed their support towards leveled-up school systems, which BM Ortega is advocating.
βThe lack of a standard Magna Carta for students across the nation puts their academic freedom at risk β along with other basic rights that should be upheld in an educational setting. Students should gather enough courage to fight for their rights and empower each other to be treated with dignity and respect,β BM Ortega said. She further reiterated that Schools have academic freedom but they do not have absolute academic freedom which means it should go hand in hand with all other students' rights.
John Rosaldo and her mother, Kathreen Rosaldo attended the said hearing while Lorma Colleges delegation was composed of Dr. Pacita Apilado, Executive Director of Academic Affairs; Mr. Rufino Macagba, Director for Technology; Ms Roxanne Silvestre, the Acting Head of Finance; Mr. Joey Agustin, Lorma Colleges Board of Director; Dr. Marites Pagdilao, Dean of the College of Nursing; and Atty. Rodolfo Yabes, Counsel for Lorma.
To ensure productive discussions, representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities (APSCU), Department of Education (DepEd) were also present.
βWe have always done our best to be compassionate and understanding with all students with various challenges in meeting obligations, but as with any legitimate organizations, there are deadlines with consequences, such that any last-minute changes may incur the risk of not being accommodated,β Dr. Apilado said highlighting the message of Lorma Colleges President Dr. Carol Lynn E. Macagba. She emphasized that the institution never intended to cause harm to anyone with what transpired.
Mrs. Rosaldo, on the other hand, aired out to the body that she really is having a hard time moving on from what happened, considering their hard work and their emotional and financial sacrifices just to witness John on stage doing that βsignificant graduation march.β
CHED, represented by OIC-Director Danilo Bose, committed to protect the welfare of the students at all cost and expressed his willingness to work with all stakeholders in the resolution of the issue.
BM Bacurnay dismissed the hearing after getting all needed information in aid of legislation and asked that a private mediation be done among all parties involved after the hearing.
