No funding yet for ‘Dabawenyo DCplinado’ program as classes loom

DAVAO CITY ( MindaNews / 17 July) — The “Dabawenyo DCplinado,” a city government-backed program aiming to “integrate the concept of discipline for responsible citizenship to the basic education curriculum,” has yet to receive funding despite plans to start it this school year (SY) 2024-2025.

“Magbuhat lang mi og corresponding resolution regarding sa budget. Mao na ang among ginawork-out karon (We will make a resolution on the budget. We are currently working this out),” the ordinance’s proponent, second congressional district Councilor Jonard Dayap, said during a press conference at the city council Tuesday morning, July 16.

Dayap, who chairs the Committee on Future Generations, said a resolution concerning the budget may be passed “within a few days or weeks.”

The ordinance establishing the Dabawenyo DCplinado program states that it needs to be funded through the special education fund.

Dayap stressed that a resolution “will help the fund get appropriated.”

The city councilor also said that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the local government unit and Department of Education will be signed to launch the program for students.

He also said the city plans to extend the program’s coverage to private schools, higher educational institutions, out-of-school youth, and in the barangays. For its inaugural year for SY 2024-2025, the program will be taught to Grade 6 and 10 students.

The city has conducted a two-day seminar for teachers, enabling them to know the curriculum’s goals and key concepts.

The ordinance mandates modules to include topics such as “civic responsibility and community engagement, respect for laws and regulations, cultural sensitivity and gender equality, personal discipline and ethical behavior, information and digital ethics, and environmental stewardship.”

Dayap said the city government will provide the human and material resources needed for the implementation of the program. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)