Eskwela ta Bai: Building Hope One School at a Time

TO go the distance means to go far – or even the farthest. In the case of Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, this is not only what she believes in; this is what she does.

Emboldened by her election promise to go back to the remotest areas of the city, VM Bebot created her flagship program Eskwela Ta Bai!, pursuant to her HEED program of governance in education.

Photo credits: VM Bebot Rodriguez official Facebook page

In the PSA Annual Poverty Indicators Survey for the school year 2022 to 2023, nearly a fifth of Filipino children were either not enrolled in school or irregularly attended classes due to reasons such as lack of personal interest and financial constraints. This stark reality calls for comprehensive interventions that address educational disparities and promote inclusive learning opportunities.

As part of her mission, VM Bebot and her team visited various schools, most especially the hinterland barangays such as Dunggoan Integrated School and Magayad Integrated School in Brgy. Tignapoloan, as well as Cadayonan Integrated School and Besigan National High School in Barangay Besigan, the city’s farthest barangay among the 80.

During these visits, she distributed school bags with essential supplies like pencils, erasers, scissors, sharpeners, notebooks, papers, slippers, crayons, and rulers. Additionally, VM Bebot donated sports equipment to the schools to help in the holistic formation of the Kagay-anon youth.

These supplies hold significant value as the lady vice mayor acknowledges the harsh truth that not every family can afford to provide their children with all necessary school supplies and that some public schools struggle to acquire all the resources they need with their allocated funding.

Despite the challenges en route to the hinterland, VM Bebot remains steadfast in her belief that the effort is both worthwhile and inherently rewarding. For her, serving every corner of the city beyond the confines of her office is a more personal and heartfelt form of public service.

“It is truly a rewarding mission, especially makita nimo mag-smile ang mga bata. Tsada sa feeling that I help them build their dreams; and we will continue this Eskwela Ta Bai advocacy one school at a time,” said VM Bebot.

Rising Heat, Rising Action: VM Bebot Rodriguez’s Effort for Green Building Standards

IN the midst of rising global temperatures, Cagayan de Oro finds itself scorching under the weight of a relentless heatwave.

Recent reports from DOST-PAGASA have classified the city's heat index under "extreme caution” with temperatures ranging from 33°C to 41°C.

But this isn't just a local issue — it's part of a larger global crisis. 

According to the UN's weather and climate agency, Asia is experiencing unprecedented warming, and the Philippines stands as one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and natural disasters.

Photo credits: VM Bebot Rodriguez official Facebook page

The impact of the relentless heat has been felt by the entire community. In fact, it has led to various challenges including drought in some provinces and rampant grass fires.

Many schools have suspended in-person classes and transitioned to asynchronous learning to protect students from the health risks posed by the weather. Yet, for many laborers such as construction workers, jeepney drivers, and farmers, seeking refuge from the sun's scorching rays is not an option. The need to earn a living outweighs the dangers, leaving them exposed and vulnerable. Amidst these challenges, there is a growing recognition of the urgent need to address climate change with more decisive action. While short-term measures offer temporary relief, the focus must shift towards implementing policies that offer sustainable, long-term solutions.

One promising initiative is the proposed ordinance to adopt green building ratings, systems, and regulations authored by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez.

Aligned with national mandates such as the Green Building Code of the Philippines (P.D. 1096), this initiative prioritizes health, safety, and welfare by adopting green building standards that include site sustainability, water and energy efficiency, renewable energy, material sustainability, solid waste management, and indoor environmental quality.

VM Bebot's proposal includes incentives for individuals certified as owners, operators, and maintainers of green buildings, assessed according to specified green building standards outlined in the proposed ordinance.

Additionally, a green building rating and certification system will be established to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This system will be overseen by the Cagayan de Oro Green Building Council, which will consist of private sector professionals in engineering, architecture, environmental protection, disaster risk management, climate change, and representatives from major local universities.

How does this translate into long-term solutions?

By prioritizing eco-friendly construction practices, these measures not only reduce the city's carbon footprint but also strengthen it against future climate threats. The more buildings adhere to the standards set forth in the proposed ordinance, the greater the reduction in pollution and the better the chances of mitigating climate change, ultimately leading to a better quality of life for all.

With each building meeting the proposal's standards, we inch closer to a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable tomorrow for the city – one green building at a time.

SK budget sa brgy 28, giaprobahan sa konseho

PINAAGI sa resolusyon nga gipalabang sa konseho sa dakbayan ubos ni Bise Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, mapatuman na sa Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) sa Barangay 28 ang ilang mga programa ug proyekto, nga adunay gibanabanang kinitaan ug galastohon nga nagkantidad og ₱369,957.00 alang sa tuig 2024.

Lakip sa gihatagan sa prioridad sa ilang budget ang mga inisyatibo alang sa kaayuhan ug pag-empower sa kabatan-onan, diin ₱131,970.00 ang gigahin alang sa mga proyekto  sa panglawas pinaagi sa feeding program, edukasyon, ug capability building and leadership training. Apil niini ang Barangay 28 Sports and Cultural Activity, Linggo ng Kabataan, Barangay 28 Got Talent, ug Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK) Assembly.

Gipundohan usab ang personal services nga nagkantidad og ₱92,448.00 alang sa SK honorarium, samtang ₱145,539.00 ang alang sa maintenance ug operating expenses, nga naglakip sa gasto sa biyahe, training, mga gamit sa opisina, uniform, fidelity bond premium, ug mga membership dues ug kontribusyon sa mga organisasyon.

Ang maong pondo gikuha gikan sa napulo ka porsyento (10%) sa kinatibuk-ang budget sa barangay, subay sa mandato sa RA 10742 o Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015.

Ang resolusyon nga nag-aprobar sa maong budget gipaluyohan sa Komite sa Sports and Youth Development ni Konsehal Kenneth John Sacala ug sa Komite sa Pamalaod ug Reglamento ni Konsehal Edgar Cabanlas