It is one thing to hear a Government agency say that they are “working” on a solution or to have them run you through a maze of telephones numbers that are constantly busy or worse, they never answer your call.

The following is my diary of contacting the “officials” and their response to that contact:

We had been calling Deped through a series of phone numbers that went unanswered or were perpetually busy (or off the hook)
at which point we found an email address in which to voice our concerns.

First email: June  2011

I am writing to make you aware of the terrible conditions in the local schools here in Payatas. I will include a link to photos and an article which is specifically about Group 1 area b Payatas elementary School. I am sure however, this is typical of most schools in the poor areas.

The supervisors are smoking among the children. Lights are missing or no bulbs. It is the same with the fans. Filth is every where and I am sure people were paid to prepare and to maintain these schools. They should be arrested.

Please look the following over and respond to this as to what will be done. If nothing will be done we will go to the media.://apps.facebook.com/causes/229870/11758075?

http://www.payatasbaptistchurch.org/wordpress/

http://escobia225.multiply.com/photos/album/153/Payatas_schools_start_in_June_-_Welcome_to_Hell

Their response:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your email sent to the DETxt Action Center of the Department of Education.

Rest assured that it will be forwarded to the concerned Office and acted upon at the soonest time possible.

(Notice it is called “ACTION Center)

I had not heard from them in about two weeks so I decided to follow up:

June 25th, 2011

I realize that the wheels of justice turn slowly but it has been almost two weeks and we are speaking of the Children’s welfare. what has happened to repair the problem?

Thank you.

That email was completely ignored.

I send another:June 30

Your email address suggests action but there has been none at all as the children still suffer. Please tell me the email address of someone that may tell me what they are doing to correct the problems at the schools.
I have been waiting a long time for a response.

Finally, a response:

—— Original Message ——
Received: Thu, 30 Jun 2011 06:52:59 AM EDT
From: “action” <action@deped.gov.ph>
To: <7101@usa.net>
Subject: RE: RE: Terrible school conditions in Payatas

We apologize for the long time of waiting for the response. May we inform you that your concern was forwarded to the Division of Quezon City since it is the proper office who should take appropriate action regarding the issues raised in the email.

May we also inform you that part of the protocol in taking action to various concerns brought to this office is to refer the matter to appropriate field office within the scope of the Department. We understand your concern, however, please do understand also that the Department is attending various concerns of the 55,230  schools nationwide and there are so many things to do to address equally important issues particularly the childrens welfare. We hope that your concern is not only limited to passing the responsibility to the government or to this department, but also doing our very own efforts to make changes we want in areas with undesirable conditions without expecting much from an institution.

You may coordinate your concerns or follow up your concerns to the Division of Quezon City at tel. nos. 920.3229; 456.0343; 468.1592

Thank you.

DETxt Action Center

My Response:

Hi,
Your email is a bit confusing. Please let me tell you what I understand it to say and then you can correct me if I am wrong.

You say you handle 55,230 schools nationwide. Do you not have it organized into districts and locales? Are there not overseers for certain areas?

You said, ” there are so many things to do to address equally important issues particularly the childrens welfare
does that mean that you handle too many things and can’t get to the children’s welfare in the poor area of Payatas because you have to take care of the other schools?

This last part ” We hope that your concern is not only limited to passing the responsibility to the government or to this department, but also doing our very own efforts to make changes we want in areas with undesirable conditions without expecting much from an institution”

I understand this to mean that I can not expect you or the government to do much at all. you seem to indicate that I am only passing the responsibility to the government.Hmmm? Who should I pass it to? Taxes are paid to the government and they are responsible to do what is right with those taxes.

Are you saying that I can play a larger role in this? I would be glad to. Please give me a letter of authorization and I will go into the local schools and make sure the maintainence is done by the people who are already getting paid to do it. Also give me the authority to fire all who do not do their jobs in a proficient matter.

By His Grace,
Pastor Jack Wilson
Payatas Quezon City Baptist Church And Ministries, Inc.

Please visit our sites:
Payatas Mission Outreach, Inc. 501 (c) 3 Non-profit U.S.A.
Payatas Q.C. Baptist Church and Ministries, Inc.
Photos documenting the work (over 4000)Monthly reports documenting the work since 2006
Savepayatas.com
Join us on FaceBook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/229870/11758075?

I have not yet received a response from these people but as you can clearly see, they have 55,230 schools which they are not able to handle. It also shows that they informed me that no one should expect them to do anything about the problems in the schools and if we want something done, we need to do it ourselves.

A plea to all you recently elected and re-elected politicians who swore you were the friend of the people and you wanted to serve them. Let’s see what you can do with this situation.