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DepEd chief’s remark on Salugpongan schools taken out of context

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor

May 8, 2019, 8:44 pm

<p>Department of Education Undersecretary and chief of staff Nepomuceno Malaluan says the issue on Salugpongan schools is still under evaluation. <em>(Photo by Ma. Teresa Montemayor)</em></p>

Department of Education Undersecretary and chief of staff Nepomuceno Malaluan says the issue on Salugpongan schools is still under evaluation. (Photo by Ma. Teresa Montemayor)

MANILA – An official of the Department of Education (DepEd) belied on Wednesday a recent news report that "Salugpongan schools will stay".

"The words of Secretary Briones were clearly taken out of context in this reportage. She explained that in dealing with the Salugpongan issue, we will be basing our actions on our existing rules, not to the effect of whether they'll be closing or not be closing [these schools]," DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Nepomuceno Malaluan told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Malaluan was reacting to a news article posted by the Mindanao Times on its website on May 2, quoting Briones as saying the "DepEd refused to shut down the Salugpongan network of schools despite the military linking it with the communist underground movement".

The report also said Briones reiterated the observance of strict guidelines in giving permits to alternative educational systems, including the Salugpongan schools.

Malaluan clarified that the issue on Salugpongan schools was not discussed during a recent press briefing in Davao.

"It was a press briefing about the Palarong Pambansa in Davao, and the question about Salugpongan was suddenly raised during the question and answer [portion]," he said.

He added that the DepEd is not pressured in any way by the military to close the Salugpongan schools, contrary to what was published in the news report.

"You know the word alternative learning system was not even mentioned by the Secretary. This angle of the report is a misrepresentation of what the Secretary said,” he said.

“We have been made aware of the allegations on the Salugpongan schools and that the matter's evaluation is ongoing,” he added. (PNA)

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