The Philippine Organization of Science and Technology Educators (P.O.S.T.E.) commemorates its two-decades since its founding with a 3-day S & T Convention on November 5-7, 2019 at the Eastern Visayas State University Main Campus, Tacloban City. This first national S & T Forum expects to draw members-participants from the four corners of the Philippines. The activities include Plenary Talks, Educators researches contest, science quiz, exhibits, games and to be capped with a search for Ginoo and Binibining Maka Kalikasan.
It has chosen the theme: “Transforming the Landscape of Science and Technology Education through Responsive Research and Innovation”.
I find the theme not only appropriate, though a bit a late recognition of the important role of S & T teachers to advance, enhance and strengthen research and innovation in the Philippines. Indeed, science teachers are in the best position to make a difference in research and innovation. They have the needed academic foundation and in an atmosphere where basic research facilities like laboratory and library facilities are within reach, at least for most schools. Very important though is the educators dedication and desire to be part of change, search for new knowledge and validating/innovating the newly found change/ideas/data and finally implementing said innovations.
I can only talk about my experience as a graduate and post-graduate student in Japan as a scholarship awardee where I observed how science faculty staffmembers spend long hours in the laboratory after their classroom lectures, doing research. Results of their research are mostly presented in S & T Fora and published in respectable journals. Discipline, and desire to contribute to the discovery of new knowledge, improving/innovating the same seem not tangibly observed in the Philippine setting, but for a limited few. We need to strengthen our resolve and commitment and acceptance of research as an equally important mandate for educators – more of a realization of CHED’s 4-pronged thrust of Teaching, Research, Production and Extension. This is the reason why CHED has made Masters Degree as basic academic requirement for those aspiring to teach in the Tertiary Level education – that they have been armed to conduct research after completing MA or MS degree and undertaking guided research and writing/defending their output called a Thesis!
As a Plenary Speaker, yours truly have been assigned the topic: “21st Century Methods in Aquatic Research: Its Implications to Science and Technology Education”. I hope to expound on why educators should get involved in research and drive a point on how research results will transform them into well-founded S & T Educators in the 21st Century.
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NEXT TOPIC : “Batting for a Specialized Training before Middle Level Managers”
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People had been mesmerized by what appears a laudable move to clear obstructions along roads and streets to restore order. It is a move to restore the spaces for the passage of people and vehicles that had been blocked by illegal structures for a long time. The cost of working hours wasted on traffic that are caught in gridlock appears enormous. So much money is lost when people who are supposed to use the roads and streets get stagnant as roads and streets are not passable at regular normal speed. Vehicles burn fuel in excess of the normal engine consumption merely due to unmoving traffic jams. It results in increased pollution of the environment and the repercussions on public health that unduly deplete funds for health.
It really is a good move for officials to enforce the law on easements along streets and roads that had been encroached by structures, both temporary and permanent. Among the obstructions are private structures such as residential houses and commercial establishments. Many obstructions though are public structures that were funded out of the government coffers. Such structures must have passed through completed staff work before the project plan were approved, funded, and implemented. The location where such structures are supposed to be erected were supposedly identified and approved by the officials concerned. The structures that are now being demolished had been certainly been erected through the approval of officials.
In the on-going campaign to clear roads and streets from obstructions, many structures had already been demolished, at great loss to the owner, whether private or government. The loss of properties is tremendous if the costing is done based on current market prices. Such losses is now borne by the supposed violator whose structure was determined as encroaching public streets and roads. The focus of culpability is fixated on the present personalities now being tagged as violators of the law. Aside from the loss the alleged owner suffers from the demolition, there is public condemnation as law enforcers label them with unpleasant nametags for grabbing the public spaces they now occupy. For the sake of public order, the owners have no choice but to submit to the demolition of the property allegedly obstructing the public street or road.
Unseen by the public is the officials who must likewise be held liable for official actions or inactions that resulted in the erection of the structures that are situated on prohibited areas that encroach public streets and roads. In the case of private structures such as residential houses that are erected on roads and streets, its construction requires a building permit issued by the Building Official, else, the said official has the authority to stop the construction. The fact that the structures are now built and are obstructing public spaces, the concerned official may have been negligent in his duty to stop constructions without building permits. In the case of public buildings and structures, the officials who planned, approved, funded and issued the building permit may appear equally liable. So much damage in terms of cost of the structures had been wasted to clear the streets and roads at the expense of the owners while others who may be equally liable appear at this time of demolitions, clear?
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