PB supports weekly recital of Cebuano Student's Code

The Cebu Provincial Board yesterday adopted en masse the proposed ordinance of member Juan Bolo providing for the recital of the Code of Duties and Responsibilities for Cebuano Students but with minor amendments.

In its regular session yesterday afternoon, the PB approved in final reading a proposed measure to this effect but that it no longer covers the students in the tertiary level, as was originally proposed by Bolo.

In the deliberation of the said proposed measure, Bolo injected minor amendments in his original proposed ordinance such that its coverage only includes students in the primary and secondary levels and that it will only be recited before classes start every Monday, instead of the original proposal that it be recited every class day.

With its passage yesterday, all public and private school institutions are mandated to comply.

The 10 duties and responsibilities that every Cebuano must adhere to as provided in the said ordinance include acknowledgment in the presence of loving and provident God; love of country; love and respect for parents, teachers, officials and elders; a promise to keep one's honor and integrity pure and clean; and to be honest and truthful in thoughts and actions.

It further obliged every Cebuano to endeavor to lead a simple, modest and frugal life; to strive to be industrious; to develop and protect our environment and natural resources; contribute to the good of community, promote social justice and be a law-abiding citizen; and to be proud of the Cebuano heritage.

In a separate resolution approved by the PB covering the enactment of the said ordinance, it stipulated the "urgent need for us to reintroduce these values back into our system so that our young students will not lose their moral moorings and so that these values could serve as their moral guide as they go through life to fulfill their hopes and dreams."

"In these times of high technology and unrestrained media, our young who are easily impressionable seems to have lost their values and have imbibed the less desirable Western influence characterized by too much liberality and impropriety," the resolution further stated.

A few months ago, the PB also approved an ordinance mandating the singing of the Cebu Hymn during the flag ceremony. - Cristina C. Birondo