27/07/2025
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐น๐ฎ๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐น
The recent controversy surrounding the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) handling of class suspension announcements during severe weather highlights a critical need for a reassessment of authority. Although the intention to centralize power under DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla aimed for more efficient coordination, the ex*****on, characterized by a casual and even humorous online communication style, led to widespread public backlash. This incident emphasizes the need to restore primary authority for class suspensions to local government units (LGUs).
The DILG's attempt to centralize the decision-making process, primarily for improved coordination and timeliness, backfired spectacularly. Secretary Remulla's apologies for the tone of the announcements, while appreciated, cannot erase the public perception of insensitivity during a time of crisis. The social media posts, characterized as "meme-like" by many, were deemed inappropriate given the widespread flooding, displacement, and even loss of life caused by the severe weather. The public outcry, voiced by both ordinary citizens and prominent figures, clearly demonstrates a lack of trust in this approach.
The argument for centralization rested on the DILG's access to comprehensive weather data and an alleged ability to coordinate more effectively with LGUs. However, the experience revealed significant flaws in this strategy. The delayed announcements, attributed to waiting for presidential approval, directly contradicted the intended goal of timeliness. Furthermore, the LGUs, often possessing a better understanding of local conditions, were sidelined in the decision-making process, resulting in a disconnect between the national announcements and the realities faced by countless communities.
Returning the authority to suspend classes to LGUs offers several key advantages. Firstly, LGUs have a better understanding of local conditions, such as road conditions, public transportation, the vulnerabilities of school buildings, and the specific needs of diverse student populations, which enables them to make more responsive decisions. This localized approach fosters greater community engagement and trust through transparent communication with parents, teachers, and students, building confidence in the decision-making process. Furthermore, decentralization reduces the administrative burden on the national government, allowing for a more efficient allocation of resources. The flexibility of LGUs allows for real-time adjustments to decisions based on rapidly changing circumstances, ensuring a more adaptable response. Lastly, this system promotes greater equity by ensuring that decisions reflect the unique vulnerabilities and needs of diverse communities, leading to fairer and more equitable outcomes.
The DILG can still play a vital role in providing support, coordination, and access to national-level weather data. However, the primary decision-making power should reside with those who are most directly responsible for the safety and well-being of their communities. The recent events serve as a reminder that effective disaster response requires not only efficient coordination but also sensitivity, transparency, and trustโqualities best served by an approach that empowers local authorities. The focus should shift from a centralized, top-down system to one that leverages the expertise and responsiveness of LGUs, ensuring that decisions about class suspensions are made with the best interests of students and their families at the forefront. Reclaiming local control is not just about restoring authority; it's about restoring trust and ensuring effective disaster response.
Words by Rachelle Gaile Maraรฑo
Pubmat by Zoie Young
Illustration by Justine Ann Malanyaon
