Thefts delay computer upgrade in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Unless Pangasinan schools are secured from thieves, the Department of Education (DepEd) may have to delay the upgrading of computer laboratories this year in the province’s public schools, an official said.

“[Education Secretary Armin Luistro] called, expressing his concern regarding the occurrences of theft in computer laboratories and the burning of classrooms. Apparently, this [problem in the province’s schools] has reached his attention,” Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. said.

Earlier in June, the Pangasinan provincial police said the spate of robbery incidents in public schools in the past months had been “very alarming.”

From January to April this year, robbers ransacked 23 public schools in 17 towns and two cities, said Supt. Ferdinand de Asis, provincial police spokesperson.

Donato Balderas, Pangasinan Division 1 schools superintendent, has told the provincial board that in April alone, four robbery incidents in schools under his division took place.

These were at Sumabnit National High School in Binalonan town on April 17, San Vicente Elementary School in Sta. Maria town on April 20, Tumana Elementary School in Rosales town on April 26, and Palac-palac Elementary School in Pozorrubio town on April 28.

In Binalonan, the school lost six sets of central processing units (CPU) and monitors and a flat screen television worth about P175,000. In Pozorrubio, the school also lost six monitors and a CPU, worth P100,000. The computers all came from the DepEd.

On Monday, Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and other provincial officials met with police, fire and education officials and agreed to coordinate with each other and with local officials to secure the schools.

“The provincial government is taking the lead in guiding and keeping everyone involved to come up with a solution that will also involve the community,” Calimlim said. Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon