In Bukidnon, teachers risk their lives just to bring modules to their students

Teachers in Bukidnon are risking their lives, using just a makeshift salbabida just to bring the learning modules to their students.

According to a “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” Panganan Elementary School teachers cross the rushing Salud River to reach their students located at Brgy. Panganan in Kitaotao. Their salbabida? It's made with the interior of a car wheel.

Panganan is among the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the country. Crossing the Salud River, which is connected to Mindanao's largest river, Davao River, is the only way for the teachers assigned at the school to reach their destination.

The whole travel lasts three to four hours, starting at the municipality of Don Carlos, where they buy their one-week supply of essentials.

Each of them then pitches P250 to rent an elf truck going to the river. Before traversing the river, they stop by a vulcanizing shop to ensure that their salbabida has enough air.

Upon arriving at Salud River, they ensure that the modules are safe inside a plastic bag. And then they pray.

Recil Claud, a teacher from Panganan, admitted feeling nervous every time they cross as she almost drowned crossing the Salud..

“I was pregnant, when the water was up to a kid swimming in the river. I thought, maybe I could do it,” she said in Filipino.

“But when I went in, the water was rushing. Thankfully, there was a resident on the other side who saved me from drowning,” she continued.

Apart from the river’s strong current, they also need to contend with occasional rain.

In Brgy. Panganan, a cottage will serve as their home for a week. Unfortunately, the area does not have electricity and signal. They only rely on solar panels and car batteries.

“It’s sad. We need to go through this just so we could give our service to children. If only there was a functional way for them, we wouldn’t have to go through this,” Recil said.

A survey has already been done in the area. According to Recil, they have already been told that a hanging bridge and electricity will be installed. It's been three years since and nothing.

The problem was raised to the local government, and last week, a site inspection was done by the engineering, development and disaster risk reduction management offices.

According to Engr. Reynaldo Pabualan, plans are already in store for a footbridge. However, at least another P6 million is still needed.

“We’ll ask for funds from the Office of the Civil Defense. We already have an engineering design. If we have funds, it will take four to five months to start the project,” he said.

In the meantime, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office provided the teachers with a rubber boat, four life vests and two floater rings.

“We feel safer compared to the salbabida we use before,” Recil said. “Our things are safer also,” another teacher added.

To extend help to the teachers, the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation said they are looking for boat makers in the area and are appealing for the government’s assistance, as well.

Department of Education Usec. Alain Del Pascua, meanwhile, said they have a proposal called “Access Roads for All Learners (ARAL).”

“We’ll prioritize roads and bridges leading to schools because that’s the strategic solution to lessen those cases of hazardous travel by our teachers,” he said.

For interested parties, you may coordinate with contact persons through contact numbers 09268440567 and 09360950789 to offer assistance.

— Franchesca Viernes/LA, GMA News