Tribute to teachers

In time with the observance of World Teachers’ Day, we are one with our teachers who selflessly dedicate their lives in serving Filipino children.

There is no word that can fully describe our gratitude to all the teachers who are striving to make schools and other learning spaces conducive and nurturing for learning.

We pay highest tribute and salute all educators who take the path less traveled by volunteering and teaching children in far-flung areas such as the Lumad communities in Mindanao.

These teachers, who are mostly coming from cities and lowlands, have found incomparable joy, contentment and their meaningful role in the society by teaching and mentoring Lumad people despite hardships and limitations.

In Mindanao, there are more than 200 Lumad community schools established by Lumad communities without a single cent coming from the government.

These schools have further helped Lumad people understand their individual and collective rights as indigenous people and are expression of their right to self-determination in their ancestral land.

However, instead of recognizing their heroic initiatives, teachers of Lumad community schools are attacked, harassed and threatened by state forces.

In this light, Salinlahi reiterates its demand to the government to end all forms of attacks against the Lumad community schools in Mindanao.

We are one with the indigenous peoples as they call for the lifting of Martial Law in Mindanao.--Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns

Pray for the President

I think it is wrong for people to seemingly feel happy upon hearing President Duterte’s admission that he has problems with his health. It is not a Christian feeling.

Why don’t we pray that the President is not afflicted with a serious illness instead? Or that if he is sick he could recover?--Mar de Rosas