Moreno warns schools: Obey class suspension orders

MANILA, Philippines — College students are not frogmen, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said Monday as he asked schools to just “shut down” if they would not comply with his class suspension order.

Moreno issued this warning schools on Monday after the University of the East-Manila suspended its classes up to the high school level only, in defiance of his order to suspend classes in all levels because of rainfall due to Tropical Depression “Egay.”

“Hindi po frogmen ang mga estudyante sa kolehiyo. Kung ano po ang pagpapahalaga ko sa mga maliliit na bata — estudyante ng elementarya, ng high school — ganoon din po ang equal na pagpapahalaga natin sa mga tertiary students, or college students,” Moreno said in his 10-minute Facebook live in which he called on the attention of UE officials.

[College students are not frogmen.  I care for tertiary, or college, students as much as I for little children — elementary and high school students.]

Moreno was alluding to the tendency of Manila streets to get flooded under heavy rainfall.

Moreno also said that the UE administration should not use as an excuse for not following the class suspension order its being under the watch of the Commission on Higher Education.

According to Moreno, he already asked Secretary to the Mayor Bernardito Ang to coordinate with UE officials regarding the issue.

“I hope you’ve learned your lesson. Never do that again to us,” he said. “We only care. But if you don’t care for your students, I think if I’m a parent, I will not ask my son or daughter to enroll in your institution.”

“Mahalaga ang edukasyon. Pero mas mahalaga ang buhay at kaligtasan ng bawat estudyante,” he added. “Baka palusutin ko kayo ngayong araw na ito sa ginawa niyong circumvention of our statement a while ago. Ayoko na pong maulit yan.”

[Education is valuable. But the life and safety of each student are more valuable. I may let you get away now with what you’ve done, the circumvention of our statement a while ago. I don’t want it to be repeated.]

Moreno then warned other universities and colleges in Manila to just shut down if they would not follow his orders.

“Kung hindi rin kayo susunod, kayong mga eskwelahan, sa mga tagubilin ng pamahalaang Lungsod ng Maynila, ayon sa pagsasayos, ayon sa pangangalaga ng kaligtasan, you are not welcome in the City of Manila. Magsara na po kayo. Shut down your institution,” Moreno said.

[If you schools don’t want to follow the orders of the City of Manila, regarding order and safety, you are not welcome in the City of Manila. Just close down. Shut down your institution.]

“Huwag po kayong masanay kung ano man ang nakasanayan niyo dati na walang gobyerno ang Lungsod ng Maynila. Masanay na po kayo, simula today, meron na pong gobyerno ang Lungsod ng Maynila.”

[Don’t get used to what you have been accustomed to doing when the City of Manila had no real government. Get used to the fact that, starting today, the City of Manila already has a government.]

Moreno then appealed for the understanding of the schools regarding his strict policy on class suspensions.

He said that the government of Manila and school administrations should work together for the benefit of the public, especially the students.

“Let’s work with harmony, let’s work together, let’s work hand-in-hand. You have obligations to your community, I have an obligation to the people of Manila and the City of Manila. Please, ayaw ko nang mauulit ito. Sana ay maunawan ninyo po ako” Moreno said.

[Please, I don’t want this to be repeated. I hope you understand me.]

Moreno earlier threatened to revoke the permit of UE for not complying with his class suspension order.

Shortly after Moreno issued his warning, UE suspended its classes in all levels for both its Manila and Caloocan branches.

READ: Manila mayor threatens to revoke UE permit for failure to suspend classes

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)