By: Emme Rose Santiagudo
THE Department of Education (DepEd) in Iloilo City called for justice and prayers for the two public school teachers who were killed in a tragic road mishap at Diversion Road, Mandurriao on Saturday.
According to Dr. Clarissa Zamora, officer-in-charge of the Office of Schools Division in Iloilo City, the Philippines Elementary Schools Principal Association (PESPA)-Iloilo City already passed a resolution calling for justice for Joe Marie Osano, 45, and his wife Alnie Dinah, 36.
“Subong may resolution ang PESPA-Iloilo City nga magpaalintun sa pag-advocate hustisya sa mga fallen educators kag ipadala nila sa natungdan nga opisyales and ahensya nga makabulig sa aton sa pagpangita hustisya, kon may hustisya pa man. Let us have our fair share of justice when it comes to our fallen educators,” Zamora said.
The Osano couple was planning to jog at the Iloilo Esplanade Saturday morning when a speeding Mazda MX5 sports car ran them over while crossing a pedestrian lane on Diversion Road.
The driver of the sports car, June Paul Valencia, 32, of 101 Villa Perla Subdivision, Mandurriao, only spent several hours inside the lock-up cell of Mandurriao Police Station as he was released after posting a P60,000 bail bond for reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with double homicide.
But the release order issued by the Municipal Trial Court in Cities indicated that Valencia is a resident of Zone 4, Escarilla Subdivision at Barangay Airport, Mandurriao.
Alnie was a master teacher of Ticud Elementary School in La Paz district while Joe Marie was the principal of La Paz 2 Elementary School.
Zamora said the deaths of the two teachers were untimely, tragic, and unfortunate as the two educators were very dedicated and passionate.
“Dako nga kasubo ang amon nabatyagan sa DepEd-Iloilo City kay sila aton mga maestro. Matawag naton nga ka-tragic, untimely, and ka sudden sang ila nga kamatayon when in fact matutom pa sila magtrabaho and mag-alaga sa aton mga estudyante,” she lamented.
Zamora emphasized that the deaths of the two educators should serve as a lesson to irresponsible drivers and the public.
“Indi dapat matabo nga liwat-liwat sa siyudad. Ang ila pagkamatay indi nga walay pulos, kundi may leksyon kita matun-an sa pagtaliwan nila nga ini. We are submitting to the will of God but if we can uphold safety and security in our streets and that reckless drivers can be eliminated and minimized through certain methods diri sa aton siyudad, kabay pa mabuligan kita sa pag-strengthen sang amo ni nga aspeto,” Zamora said.
Zamora assured that the operations of La Paz 2 Elementary School will continue since she already designated an officer-in-charge.
“Sige man gihapon ang operations sa eskwelahan kay wala man gap sa leadership. I already designated Joselyn Sasa who will undertake the functions of a school principal in the school in the meantime that there is no permanent principal that is appointed,” she said.
The remains of the Osano couple is at St. Therese Chapels in Molo district but will be transferred to the District Office in La Paz 1 Elementary School, according to Zamora.
