City’s anti-truancy measure found not fully implemented

The city government’s implementation of ordinance no. 119, series of 2018, entitled, “Prohibiting Truancy in the City of Baguio”, has not been fully implemented according to a status report submitted to Vice-Mayor Faustino Olowan on June 1.

The report, prepared by local legislative staff officer IV Eliza Orduna, disclosed that the measure’s implementing offices are the Baguio City Schools Division, Department of Education-CAR; City Treasury Office; City Social Welfare and Development Office; Baguio City Police Office; Department of the Interior and Local Government-Baguio; Association of Private Schools Administrators-Baguio; Federation of Parent-Teachers Association-Baguio; and the City Legal Office.

Letters and copies of the ordinance were furnished to the concerned offices and that a series of follow-ups through phone calls and reiteration letters were made, the status report stated.

Then BCPO Chief PCol. Rae Allen Co, in a letter dated March 2, 2021, recommended that the ordinance be amended to align the title with its provisions; while Hannah Calitong, Attorney IV of the City Legal Office, March 10, 2021, said  her office has not received any request for legal assistance from the Anti-Truancy Board or from any other office for the filing of any case related to the measure.

Former DILG-Baguio Dir. Evelyn Trinidad, in a letter dated March 18, 2021, said they have no comments on the measure while City Treasurer Alex Cabarrubias, August 31, 2021, suggested the reactivation of the Anti-Truancy Board to assess and evaluate the level of effectiveness of the ordinance and determine the problems encountered in its implementation.

Schools Division Supt. Federico Martin, in a letter dated August 20, 2021, stated their strong support for the measure and that in order for it to be effective, the full cooperation of parents with other stakeholders is expected since they all play an important role in the molding of their children; while former CSWDO head Betty Fangasan, August 3, 2021, said her office cannot make a comment since they have not received a copy of the implementing rules and regulations as mentioned in the ordinance.

Orduna, as the tracking officer, suggested in her status report based on the reports submitted by the concerned offices, suggested that the city council amend the ordinance incorporating the recommendations and suggestions of the concerned offices.

A proposed amendatory ordinance was also attached with her status report for the purpose. – Gaby B. Keith