NABUNTURAN, Davao de Oro, June 2 (PIA) - The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region XI belied statements about the Community Technical College of Southern Mindanao (CTCSM) on being a Lumad school and a recognized organic farm.
On the claims that CTCSM is a Lumad school, Deped XI spokesperson Jenelito Atillo said that the school cannot be considered as an indigenous peoples school.
“It is misleading because sa CTCSM dili purely indigenous peoples ang mga students; in fact, majority of them are non-IP,” Atillo said. (It is misleading because the students at CTCSM are not purely indigenous peoples; in fact, majority of them are non-IP.)
The spokesperson said that to be considered an IP school, the students and even those who run the school should be indigenous peoples.
“We even utilized the non-IP school tool for evaluating CTCSM, which is based on applicable laws in our country,” he said.
On May 22, 2020, the DepEd XI released a closure order against CTCSM as their application for government recognition for Kindergarten to Junior High School programs, and renewal of permit for its Senior High School program was denied due to “incomplete submission of documentary requirements and noted deficiencies in the implementation of the K to 12 Curriculum.”
Meanwhile, DA XI released a certification that the agency has not certified CTCSM as an organic farm; opposing to the claims of the school that the regional office has recognized them as a boarding farm school for its organic farm practice.
The certification also stated that DA is not mandated to certify farm practicing organic agriculture technologies.
“By virtue of Republic Act 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, only recognized third party Organic Certifying Bodies are duly authorized to conduct and issue an Organic Certification,” the certification said.
DA XI, however, acknowledged that through its Livestock Division Animal Dispersal Program, had provided the school three female swine last 2017 in response to the letter request of CTCSM. (PIA11, Michael Uy)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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