Abbu files proposed ordinanceprotecting rights of city scholars

“EDUCATION is a fundamental human right and essential for the exercise of all other human rights”.

This was stressed by Councilor Jose Pepe S. Abbu, Jr., on his social media account, as he filed a proposed ordinance providing for the protection of the rights of Cagayan de Oro City Scholars.

Councilor Abbu said Section 13 of the Philippine Constitution provides that the state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.

Under the proposed ordinance, a scholar shall have the right to quality education, decline or refuse to attend any political activity; refuse to render service required by the program when it will endanger his or her life, status, person, or family; not be removed from the program without compliance to the procedure laid down in this ordinance.

A city scholar also has the right not to be subjected to harassment whether physical, verbal, emotional, or psychological, based on his or her political, or religious view, stance, or affiliation.

DISQUALIFICATION

The proposed ordinance provides that scholars shall be disqualified or suspended from the program based on academic deficiency and violation of existing rules and regulations provided for under the Scholarship Code of 2018.

Abbu proposed that following a complaint for disqualification or suspension, a written notice shall be sent to the City Scholarship Office stating the grounds for disqualification or suspension of a city scholar based on the recommendation submitted by the committee to the board.

In case a city scholar violates the law, he or she may be reprimanded for the first offense, one-year suspension from the program for the second offense, and disqualification from the program for the third offense, as cited in the proposed ordinance.

The proposal of Councilor Abbu was submitted to the committee on education for review. (SP/JBDacer)