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The Dream Rep
By: Redd Dalina Panes
They say that a “good” politician is rare and a “great” one is even rarer. But for the public schools teachers in the First District of Marikina, their congressman is a close to perfect, if not perfect, public servant.
Who is he?
Marcelino Teodoro, or more popularly called as Cong. Marcy, is known for his charisma and appeal to the public. He is said to be strict, yet very approachable and helpful. There are several stories about him helping other people even if they do not live in his district.
He was born on October 2, 1970. He was first elected as the representative of the first district of Marikina in 2007. Despite the black propaganda and rumors that spread during the previous 2010 elections, he was able to win a seat in the congress under the liberal party.
The Agendum
Being a graduate of public schools from elementary to college, Rep. Teodoro is very hands-on with regard to passing of bills and implementations of laws related to education. He is always around, visiting different public schools and making sure that there are sufficient classrooms, books, teachers and other supplies in every school. In fact, most of his bills, authored or co-authored, deal with education, curriculum, and benefits of teachers.
Ms. Emily Santos, the officer-in-charge of Barangka National High School said that the support coming from the office of Rep. Teodoro is well-felt in the community. Last June 2010 alone, there were four newly opened national high schools in the first district of Marikina to equalize the distribution of students in every barangay. She also attributed the high level of education in Marikina to the efforts of the Congressman and the collective support from the community.
“Before the opening of the school year, the teachers, together with the parents, helped in organizing and cleaning the school. Since it is a newly constructed building, the whole building was in a mess but through the efforts of the parents and the teachers, we made it possible to open the school a week later than the actual opening. Now, it is an acceptable and at least suitable place for learning,” Ms. Santos added.
On the other hand, Ms. Aizaleen Marcelo, the officer-in-charge of Barangka Elementary School reiterated how Rep. Marcelo helped her school to achieve what they have now. She said that the students have more access to quality education through the initiative of their congressman.
“He always comes around [here] and he likes to mingle with kids. In fact, he gives free bags to each pupil every start of the school year. That is why children are quite comfortable calling him “Cong,” and playing with him,” Marcelo said.
Even the parents of the children had nothing to say about the representative except praises. Mrs. Pia de Guzman, who has a son studying at Barangka National High School is impressed and satisfied with the current implementation and governance of Rep. Marcelo. She said that the projects of the representative are well balanced and they greatly helped the citizens especially the education sector.
“I have nothing negative to say about him primarily because as a citizen, I can feel his help throughout Marikina,” she said. “Just look around and you will see many infrastructures being built through his initiative."
Is he really perfect?
A controversy in the internet spread before the elections, be it black propaganda or mere observations, there are some solid bases that “citizen journalists” explored.
One of the hottest issues being thrown to him is about his mismanagement of public funds through setting up huge tarpaulins in every barangay, bearing his name a few months before the elections. There was also an issue about a certain road project along Fernando Avenue that instead of helping the residents, it became a problem especially during the rainy seasons. Be it due to financial problems or sheer forgetfulness, it is still unacceptable to build public roads and sidewalks without proper water drainage.
Also, he is the only candidate who did not attend the public debate sponsored by Marikina Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Based on a website criticizing Rep. Teodoro, he didn’t attend at least five organized public fora including one sponsored by Marikina Private School Association.
The Most Outstanding Congressman
During the election period, Rep. Teodoro was dubbed as a member of the “dream team” in Marikina due to a number of his accomplishments as a law maker. He was chosen as one of the 30 Most Outstanding Congressmen in 2008 and 2009. This was primarily attributed to his key role in National Tourism Policy, Tax Relief for Individual Taxpayer, Magna Carta of Women, Cheaper Medicine Act and UP Charter.
Through House Bill 2935, he pushed for a higher salary for teachers in public schools and additional benefits including the teachers’ beneficiaries. He also proposed several bills that will convert Public High Schools into National High schools for them to have greater subsidy from the national government. That is why, just this June 2010, there were at least four newly opened high schools in the first district of Marikina.
Other major legislative bills that he proposed were the Computer Education Act of 2007, Free Public Pre-School Education Act and Billboard Regulation Act of 2007.
The Computer Education Act of 2007 aims to establish compulsory computer education to be integrated with the current existing curriculum in elementary and secondary schools. It also requires private schools to have computer education in their curriculum.
The Free Public Pre-school Education act provides free public pre-school education to all qualified children for them to promote quality education in all levels. Meanwhile, the Bill Regulation Act of 2007 prohibits the installation or putting up of billboards and signages to places that obstruct the view of vehicles or pedestrian traffic, any rural or urban natural vista or those that take the space allotted for informative and safety road signs.
Conclusion
Rep. Teodoro focused on the education sector but while public school teachers and parents with sons and daughters still studying, he still needs to improve his projects that will also deal with other community problems such as waste management, health care and housing.
He should continue his advocacy in uplifting the level of education in the country. Through the implementation of several programs in his district, it can be said that it is possible through the collective initiative and effort of the government and the people.
Sources:
http://www.chtchronicles.net/news/id/10076
http://bmpm.abs-cbnnews.com/videos/68-naglalakihang+mga+tarpaulin+ni+Marcy+Teodoroflv?userid=3684
http://kalumpang.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/road-project-ni-marcy-sa-fernando-avenue-palpak/
http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?congress=15&id=teodoro
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=570644&publicationSubCategoryId=94
Photo taken from: http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/media/news/2008/mrkna_rsdnt.htm
They say that a “good” politician is rare and a “great” one is even rarer. But for the public schools teachers in the First District of Marikina, their congressman is a close to perfect, if not perfect, public servant.
Who is he?
Marcelino Teodoro, or more popularly called as Cong. Marcy, is known for his charisma and appeal to the public. He is said to be strict, yet very approachable and helpful. There are several stories about him helping other people even if they do not live in his district.
He was born on October 2, 1970. He was first elected as the representative of the first district of Marikina in 2007. Despite the black propaganda and rumors that spread during the previous 2010 elections, he was able to win a seat in the congress under the liberal party.
The Agendum
Being a graduate of public schools from elementary to college, Rep. Teodoro is very hands-on with regard to passing of bills and implementations of laws related to education. He is always around, visiting different public schools and making sure that there are sufficient classrooms, books, teachers and other supplies in every school. In fact, most of his bills, authored or co-authored, deal with education, curriculum, and benefits of teachers.
Ms. Emily Santos, the officer-in-charge of Barangka National High School said that the support coming from the office of Rep. Teodoro is well-felt in the community. Last June 2010 alone, there were four newly opened national high schools in the first district of Marikina to equalize the distribution of students in every barangay. She also attributed the high level of education in Marikina to the efforts of the Congressman and the collective support from the community.
“Before the opening of the school year, the teachers, together with the parents, helped in organizing and cleaning the school. Since it is a newly constructed building, the whole building was in a mess but through the efforts of the parents and the teachers, we made it possible to open the school a week later than the actual opening. Now, it is an acceptable and at least suitable place for learning,” Ms. Santos added.
On the other hand, Ms. Aizaleen Marcelo, the officer-in-charge of Barangka Elementary School reiterated how Rep. Marcelo helped her school to achieve what they have now. She said that the students have more access to quality education through the initiative of their congressman.
“He always comes around [here] and he likes to mingle with kids. In fact, he gives free bags to each pupil every start of the school year. That is why children are quite comfortable calling him “Cong,” and playing with him,” Marcelo said.
Even the parents of the children had nothing to say about the representative except praises. Mrs. Pia de Guzman, who has a son studying at Barangka National High School is impressed and satisfied with the current implementation and governance of Rep. Marcelo. She said that the projects of the representative are well balanced and they greatly helped the citizens especially the education sector.
“I have nothing negative to say about him primarily because as a citizen, I can feel his help throughout Marikina,” she said. “Just look around and you will see many infrastructures being built through his initiative."
Is he really perfect?
A controversy in the internet spread before the elections, be it black propaganda or mere observations, there are some solid bases that “citizen journalists” explored.
One of the hottest issues being thrown to him is about his mismanagement of public funds through setting up huge tarpaulins in every barangay, bearing his name a few months before the elections. There was also an issue about a certain road project along Fernando Avenue that instead of helping the residents, it became a problem especially during the rainy seasons. Be it due to financial problems or sheer forgetfulness, it is still unacceptable to build public roads and sidewalks without proper water drainage.
Also, he is the only candidate who did not attend the public debate sponsored by Marikina Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Based on a website criticizing Rep. Teodoro, he didn’t attend at least five organized public fora including one sponsored by Marikina Private School Association.
The Most Outstanding Congressman
During the election period, Rep. Teodoro was dubbed as a member of the “dream team” in Marikina due to a number of his accomplishments as a law maker. He was chosen as one of the 30 Most Outstanding Congressmen in 2008 and 2009. This was primarily attributed to his key role in National Tourism Policy, Tax Relief for Individual Taxpayer, Magna Carta of Women, Cheaper Medicine Act and UP Charter.
Through House Bill 2935, he pushed for a higher salary for teachers in public schools and additional benefits including the teachers’ beneficiaries. He also proposed several bills that will convert Public High Schools into National High schools for them to have greater subsidy from the national government. That is why, just this June 2010, there were at least four newly opened high schools in the first district of Marikina.
Other major legislative bills that he proposed were the Computer Education Act of 2007, Free Public Pre-School Education Act and Billboard Regulation Act of 2007.
The Computer Education Act of 2007 aims to establish compulsory computer education to be integrated with the current existing curriculum in elementary and secondary schools. It also requires private schools to have computer education in their curriculum.
The Free Public Pre-school Education act provides free public pre-school education to all qualified children for them to promote quality education in all levels. Meanwhile, the Bill Regulation Act of 2007 prohibits the installation or putting up of billboards and signages to places that obstruct the view of vehicles or pedestrian traffic, any rural or urban natural vista or those that take the space allotted for informative and safety road signs.
Conclusion
Rep. Teodoro focused on the education sector but while public school teachers and parents with sons and daughters still studying, he still needs to improve his projects that will also deal with other community problems such as waste management, health care and housing.
He should continue his advocacy in uplifting the level of education in the country. Through the implementation of several programs in his district, it can be said that it is possible through the collective initiative and effort of the government and the people.
Sources:
http://www.chtchronicles.net/news/id/10076
http://bmpm.abs-cbnnews.com/videos/68-naglalakihang+mga+tarpaulin+ni+Marcy+Teodoroflv?userid=3684
http://kalumpang.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/road-project-ni-marcy-sa-fernando-avenue-palpak/
http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?congress=15&id=teodoro
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=570644&publicationSubCategoryId=94
Photo taken from: http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/media/news/2008/mrkna_rsdnt.htm