𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬𝗔𝗟: "SEE-guridad sa Bag, Sapat na Ba?"

Inilathala ni: Kyla Shane Recullo

Petsang Inilathala: Setyembre 7, 2026

Oras na Inilathala: 8:00 AM

Sa paaralang puno ng pangarap, kailangan bang maging malinaw pati narin ang laman ng bag upang maging ligtas ang bawat isa?

 

Sa patuloy na pagtaas ng mga usapin tungkol sa seguridad sa mga paaralan, isinusulong ng ilang paaralan ang paggamit ng transparent o see-through bags upang mas mapadali ang inspeksyon sa mga dala ng mga mag-aaral. Sa Cebu, kabilang ito sa mga hakbang na pinag-aaralan upang mapalakas ang seguridad sa loob ng campus. Gayunpaman, kasabay ng layuning ito ang tanong: Sapat ba ang transparent bag upang masabing ligtas na ang mga estudyante?

 

Tunay ngang makakatulong ang transparent bag sa seguridad, ngunit hindi ito dapat ituring na pangunahing solusyon sa problema ng school safety. Ang tunay na kaligtasan ay hindi lamang nakikita sa laman ng bag, kundi sa maayos at komprehensibong sistema ng seguridad ng paaralan.

 

Ang paggamit ng transparent bags ay isinasaalang-alang dahil mas madali para sa mga guwardiya at awtoridad na makita ang laman ng bag nang hindi na kinakailangang magsagawa ng mas matagal na inspeksyon. Layunin nitong makatulong sa pagtukoy ng mga bagay na maaaring magdulot ng panganib sa loob ng paaralan.

 

Hindi maikakaila na may pakinabang ang ganitong paraan. Ngunit kung transparent lamang ang bag, hindi ibig sabihin ay awtomatiko nang transparent ang lahat ng banta. Ang isang malinaw na bag ay maaaring magpakita ng gamit, ngunit hindi nito kayang ipakita ang lahat ng problemang maaaring kinakaharap ng isang estudyante.

 

Bukod sa transparent bags, kabilang din sa mga maaaring hakbang sa pagpapalakas ng seguridad ang paggamit ng metal detectors, CCTV cameras, dagdag na security personnel, emergency drills, at iba pang safety protocols. Ipinapakita nitong hindi iisang hakbang lamang ang kailangan upang mapanatiling ligtas ang campus.

 

Dito dapat maging mas maingat ang mga paaralan. Ang transparent bag ay dapat dagdag na pananggalang, hindi kapalit ng mas maayos na security system. Kailangang tiyaking sapat ang bilang at pagsasanay ng security personnel, gumagana ang mga safety protocol, at alam ng bawat estudyante kung ano ang dapat gawin kapag may emergency.

 

Mayroon ding usapin sa gastos. Hindi lahat ng pamilya ay kayang agad bumili ng bagong bag, lalo na kung mayroon pa silang gamit na maayos at ligtas gamitin. Kaya mahalagang isaalang-alang ng mga paaralan ang kakayahan ng mga mag-aaral at kanilang pamilya bago gawing mandatory ang naturang polisiya. Ang seguridad ay responsibilidad ng buong komunidad, hindi lamang ng estudyante. Kung ipatutupad ang transparent bag policy, dapat itong gawin nang patas at may sapat na konsiderasyon. Hindi dapat maging sukatan ng pagiging responsable ng isang estudyante ang kakayahan niyang bumili ng bagong bag.

 

Ang transparent bag ay maaaring maging isang hakbang tungo sa mas ligtas na paaralan, ngunit hindi ito ang kabuuan ng solusyon. Sa halip na umasa sa isang malinaw na bag, kailangang bumuo ng mas malinaw na sistema—isang sistemang may sapat na seguridad, maayos na pagpapatupad, at malasakit sa bawat mag-aaral.

 

Kung kaligtasan ang layunin, gawin itong responsibilidad ng lahat. Makilahok, makinig, at makipagtulungan ang mga estudyante, guro, magulang, at administrasyon sa pagbuo ng mga patakarang tunay na nagpoprotekta. Sapagkat ang isang ligtas na paaralan ay hindi lamang paaralang nakikita ang laman ng bag—ito ay paaralang nakikita, naririnig, at pinahahalagahan ang bawat mag-aaral.

 

MGA SANGGUNIAN:

Baltasar, C. (2026, August 24). PH schools push for use of transparent bags on campus for easier inspection. PhilSTAR Life. https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/781516-ph-schools-push-for-use-of-transparent-bags-campus-easier-inspection

 

Cardova, C. (2026, August 26). Use of see-through bags among measures being considered to ensure safety in Cebu schools. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/26/use-of-see-through-bags-among-measures-being-considered-to-ensure-safety-in-cebu-schools?utm_source

 

De Dios, K. (2026, August 26). Mandaue DepEd open to use of transparent bags. The Freeman. The Freeman. https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2026/08/26/2551881/mandaue-deped-open-use-transparent-bags

𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬𝗔𝗟: "Mga Babalang Hindi Pinakikinggan"

Dibuho ni: Kier Climaco

Inilathala ni: Kyla Shane Recullo

Petsang Inilathala: Hulyo 21, 2026

Oras na inilathala: 11:43 AM

Ang paaralan ay nararapat maging ligtas na espasyo para sa pagkatuto, paghubog ng pagkatao, at paglinang ng kinabukasan ng bawat kabataan. Subalit sa gitna ng sunod-sunod na insidente ng karahasan sa mga paaralan nitong mga nakaraang buwan, lumalabas ang isang mas mabigat na katotohanan—hindi lamang ang mga trahedya ang problema, kundi ang mga babalang matagal nang naroon ngunit hindi napapansin at hindi agad nabibigyan ng kaukulang aksyon.

 

Mula sa pamamaril sa isang pampublikong paaralan sa Tacloban City hanggang sa magkakahiwalay na insidente ng pananaksak sa Cavite, iisa ang tanong na patuloy na bumabagabag sa marami: may mga senyales bang maaaring nakapigil sa mga pangyayaring ito? Sa bawat kasong lumalabas sa balita, madalas na kasunod ang mga ulat ng matagal nang pambu-bully, pagbabago sa asal, problema sa tahanan, o mga suliraning pangkaisipan na hindi agad natugunan. Ang mga ito ay hindi simpleng palabas lamang—mga babala silang dapat sana'y napakinggan.

 

Ayon sa mga eksperto, ang bullying at iba pang uri ng pang-aabuso ay maaaring magdulot ng matinding epekto sa emosyonal at mental na kalagayan ng isang kabataan. Kapag hindi ito nabigyan ng maagap na suporta, maaari itong humantong sa depresyon, matinding pagkabalisa, paglayo sa kapwa, at iba pang mapanganib na pag-uugali. Bagama't hindi lahat ng insidente ng karahasan ay bunga ng bullying, hindi rin maikakailang isa ito sa mga pangunahing salik na dapat seryosong tinutugunan.

 

Sa kabila ng umiiral na mga batas tulad ng Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 at mga child protection policy ng mga paaralan, nananatiling malaking hamon ang maagap na pagtukoy sa mga estudyanteng nangangailangan ng tulong. Hindi sapat ang pagkakaroon ng polisiya kung kulang naman ang implementasyon nito. Marami pa ring paaralan ang may limitadong access sa guidance counselors, mental health professionals, at mga intervention program na makatutulong sana sa mga kabataang dumaraan sa mabibigat na suliranin.

 

Kasunod ng mga nagdaang insidente, muling nabuhay ang panawagang repasuhin ang Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act o Republic Act No. 9344 upang ibaba ang edad ng criminal responsibility. Gayunpaman, binigyang-diin ng ilang eksperto at mambabatas tulad ni Kiko Pangilinan na hindi nito matutugunan ang ugat ng problema. Ang pagpapataw ng mas mabigat na pananagutan ay hindi awtomatikong makapipigil sa karahasan kung patuloy namang napapabayaan ang mga babalang matagal nang nakikita ngunit hindi inaaksyunan.

 

Hindi dapat naghihintay ang mga paaralan na magkaroon muna ng trahedya bago magsagawa ng masusing assessment sa kalagayan ng kanilang mga mag-aaral. Kailangang paigtingin ang maagang pagtukoy sa mga kaso ng bullying, pagbabago ng asal, social withdrawal, at iba pang indikasyon ng emosyonal o sikolohikal na paghihirap. Kasabay nito, nararapat ding palakasin ang koordinasyon ng mga guro, guidance counselors, magulang, at lokal na pamahalaan upang agad na matugunan ang mga suliraning kinahaharap ng mga kabataan.

 

Mahalaga ring magkaroon ng sapat na pondo para sa school-based mental health programs, dagdag na guidance counselors, at regular na pagsasanay ng mga guro sa pagkilala at pagresponde sa mga warning signs ng karahasan. Ang tunay na pag-iwas sa trahedya ay hindi nagsisimula sa paghihigpit ng seguridad lamang, kundi sa maagap na pakikinig at pag-unawa sa mga kabataang humihingi ng tulong—kahit hindi nila ito tahasang sinasabi.

 

Ang bawat trahedyang nagaganap sa loob ng paaralan ay paalala na may mga tinig na hindi narinig at mga babalang hindi napansin. Kung patuloy nating babalewalain ang mga senyales ng paghihirap na ipinakikita ng mga kabataan, mananatiling paulit-ulit ang ganitong mga pangyayari. Ang tunay na hamon ay hindi lamang kung paano tutugon pagkatapos ng trahedya, kundi kung paano ito mapipigilan bago pa man ito mangyari. Sapagkat ang bawat babalang pinakikinggan ay maaaring maging buhay na naililigtas.

 

MGA SANGGUNIAN:

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Bullying. American Psychological Association.

https://www.apa.org/topics/bullying

 

Department of Education. (2013, December 23). DO 55, s. 2013 – Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013).

https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/10/72034

 

Republic Act No. 10627. (2013, September 13). Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.

https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/58226

 

UNESCO. (2019). Behind the Numbers: Ending School Violence and Bullying.

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000366483

 

UNESCO Document Repository

World Health Organization. (2025, September 1). Adolescent mental health.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health

 

Sarao, Z. (2026, June 22). Legarda: Tacloban school shooting highlights youth issues needing action. Inquirer.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2250725/legarda-tacloban-school-shooting-highlights-youth-issues-needing-action/amp

 

Gabieta, J. A. (2026, June 22). School shooting kills 3 students in Tacloban. Inquirer.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2250793/school-shooting-kills-3-students-in-tacloban/amp

 

GMA News Online. (2026, June 22). Kiko Pangilinan says minors accountable under juvenile justice law. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/992358/kiko-pangilinan-minors-juvenile-justice-law/story/?amp

 

Lema, K. (2026, June 23). Philippines rethinks school safety after rare shooting kills three students. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-rethinks-school-safety-after-rare-shooting-kills-three-2026-06-23/

𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟: "Views vs. News"

Cartoon by: Alexa Robil

Published by: Jellyssa Boniza

Date Published: May 20, 2026

Time Published: 8:31 AM

In recent weeks, the debate between journalists and influencers has intensified following public discussions during YSpeak 2.0 involving actor Elijah Canlas and reality personality Ralph de Leon on whether influencers should be held to the same standards as journalists. During the discussion, Ralph emphasized the growing power of online personalities, stating, “Influencers influence people; that’s why they’re called influencers.” His statement reflects today’s reality: social media creators now shape conversations, opinions, and even public beliefs as strongly as traditional media outlets. As digital platforms dominate how information is consumed, society increasingly turns to creators who discuss news, offer opinions, and frame narratives online.

Yet influence alone should not be mistaken for credibility.

While influencers and journalists both hold the power to shape public opinion, they are not built on the same foundations. Journalism is grounded in ethics, verification, and accountability. Journalists do not simply publish information for engagement—they are expected to confirm facts through interviews, multiple sources, and evidence before reporting. Newsrooms operate under editorial standards where claims are reviewed, corrections are issued, and reputations are placed at risk when false information is spread. In many cases, journalists may face legal consequences, public scrutiny, or professional sanctions if they fail to uphold these responsibilities.

Influencers, on the other hand, often work independently—driven by engagement, relatability, and personal branding. Their content may be entertaining and accessible, but accessibility should never excuse the absence of verification. Unlike journalists, creators are not always required to pass information through editors or fact-checking systems before publishing content to millions of viewers.

This distinction matters now more than ever. In an age where misinformation spreads faster than facts, society cannot afford to confuse popularity with reliability. A creator with millions of followers may command attention, but reach alone does not guarantee responsibility. When inaccurate claims go viral, the consequences can be serious: false narratives can mislead voters, create public panic, damage reputations, and influence decisions based on misinformation rather than truth.

There is no denying that influencers have transformed the modern media landscape, particularly among younger audiences who consume information through platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Many creators now discuss political issues, social concerns, and current events, making complex topics easier to understand and more relatable to ordinary people. In some cases, influencers help spark meaningful conversations that traditional media struggle to initiate.

However, relatability must not replace responsibility.

When journalists fail to verify information, the public can lose trust in institutions built to protect truth. But when influencers spread unverified claims, misinformation often travels faster because of algorithms that reward virality over accuracy. One misleading post can reach millions within hours, shaping public opinion before facts have the chance to catch up. In today’s digital environment, the consequences of careless content are no longer harmless—they affect elections, public health, and social unity.

The growing dominance of influencers should not weaken the public’s trust in journalism. Society still needs institutions committed to seeking truth, verifying evidence, and holding power accountable—especially on issues involving governance, public safety, and national concerns. Journalism exists not simply to gain views but to inform citizens accurately and responsibly.

Still, this conversation should not be reduced to a battle between journalists and influencers. The goal is not competition but accountability. Influencers who discuss serious public matters must recognize the weight of their platforms by practicing fact-checking, citing credible sources, and correcting misinformation when mistakes occur. At the same time, media institutions must adapt to changing audiences by becoming more accessible and engaging in digital spaces where young people actively consume information.

But responsibility does not end with journalists or influencers—it begins with the audience. Readers must stop treating virality as proof of truth and learn to question what appears on their screens. Schools should strengthen media literacy, educators must teach critical thinking, and policymakers should support efforts against online misinformation. In a world where falsehood spreads with a single click, silence and ignorance are no longer harmless.

The question is no longer who shapes public opinion—journalists or influencers—but who protects the truth. As consumers of information, society must demand responsibility from everyone with a platform. Views may trend, followers may grow, and opinions may shift—but truth, accountability, and credibility must never become optional.

REFERENCES:

[1] Ahmed, K. (2025, October 10). Drawing the line between influencers and journalists. Inquirer Net. https://opinion.inquirer.net/186638/drawing-the-line-between-influencers-and-journalists

[2] Martirez, S. (2025) Journalists vs. Influencers: Who Shapes Public Opinion Today?. Global Media Journal, 23:77. https://www.globalmediajournal.com/open-access/journalists-vs-influencers-who-shapes-public-opinion-today.php?aid=95697

[3] Mallorca, H. (2026, May 11). Elijah Canlas, Ralph de Leon on influencers, journalists. Inquirer Net. https://entertainment.inquirer.net/668569/elijah-canlas-ralph-de-leon-on-holding-influencers-to-same-standards-as-journos/amp

[4] Calibud, A. (2026, May 11). Elijah Canlas vs Ralph De Leon: Should Influencers Be Held to the Same Standards as Journalists? Daily Tribune. https://tribune.net.ph/2026/05/11/elijah-canlas-ralph-de-leon-debate-influencer-accountability-on-yspeak-20

𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟: "The Endless Cycle of Greed in Politics" by Angelli Clarisse S. Gonzales

 

Cartoon by: Yanai De leon

Published by: Christine Palcon 

Date published: September 22, 2025

Time published: 4:08 pm

Many years have passed, and Filipinos are still under the hands of politicians who would indulge in corruption– lavishly spending every penny from the taxes of hardworking Filipinos. However, it’s not just the poor governance that pulls the Filipinos' future apart, but the ignorance and hypocrisy of others to elect leaders who steal and kill for personal interests. Hence, the incapability and incompetence of people to certain positions in the government. Consequently, we are stuck in this never-ending cycle of corruption in our country.

People like them are indeed a menace to society. 

The Philippines yet again secured a spot known for the country with the highest value-added tax rate in Southeast Asia. Reaching up to 12% according to the data collected by PricewaterhouseCoopers Philippines as of 2025. 

With the highest rate of value-added taxes leads to poor efficiency decreasing the purchasing power of the consumers. Which in turn, will result in workers unable to enjoy the Filipinos’ hard earned salaries. 

One of the factors affecting this is the budget deficit that the Philippines are currently facing– reaching up to 34% of the budget deficit in July. And one of the ways of solving this problem is to increase the rate of the value-added tax which slows down the economic growth of the Philippines. 

However, this raises questions to their countrymen on where truly their taxes go but get silenced of their right to call out for transparency and accountability by their pathetic children who lives lavishly off their parent’s money that are basically from the blood, sweat, and tears of the hardworking laborers in the Philippines. 

It is truly disheartening that the people who are supposed to protect us from injustice are the ones who are heartless to the suffering of their fellow Filipinos. 
The corruption is loud, but holding accountability is so quiet.   

Protest if you must. Seek for transparency and accountability– not for the return of a merciless killer.

This continuous corruption must be put to an end now or more Filipinos will suffer— more will die of hunger. It is only a matter of time before the Philippines will completely get dragged out of this never-ending cycle. 

Let’s not allow these people lead our country. The Philippines has suffered enough at the hands of these hypocrites. Killing the dreams of the Filipinos with ghost projects, and an endless cycle of corruption. The government is not supposed to be filled with unjust criminals and stupid politicians as it is not a circus nor a playground to play with in the first place. 

Flood the injustice system with protest and inspire the young ones rather than silencing them. Never too young to shame these politicians and never too old not to participate in activities that call out their ignorance. 

[:REFERENCES:] 
[1] Philippines - Corporate - Other taxes. (n.d.). https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/philippines/corporate/other-taxes#:~:text=VAT%20applies%20to%20practically%20all,from%20the%20sale%20of%20services. 

[2] Jessica Fenol, Job Manahan and Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News. (2024, October 28). PH eyes improving VAT system amid “poor” efficiency | ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN. https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/05/30/23/ph-eyes-improving-vat-system-amid-poor-efficiency 

[3] Sevilla, S. (2024, March 22). VAT in the Philippines: Highest rate among countries in SEA. Shoppable Business. https://shoppable.ph/vat-philippines-highest-in-sea/