Sen. Lito Lapid's Senate Bill

Yes, there is Sen. Lito Lapid in the Philippine Senate. He looks cranky these days though because Education Sec. Armin Luistro ignored the former action star’s bill that would stop the overloading of school bags.

The macho-looking senator whose feat in the senate is only heard once in a blue moon said that there is a study saying that a growing number of pupils had developed back deformities from carrying heavy school backpacks.

Probably, the study the good senator is saying is not scientific. When we were pupils, our teachers required us to bring books everyday for each subject aside from crayons, loaded pencil case, pad papers, erasers, lunch, trowel, assorted projects, note books and instruments. Toys such as top, bamboo gun, marbles and pail included. Not to be overlooked are the stuff done at home like preparing and carrying firewood or carrying a load full of grass for the working animals or crops from the field strapped at the back. Despite these, I have not seen one with a deformed back.

With God’s grace, when we were in the sixth grade, we were able to stand straight like a pole during flag ceremony. Some from our batch even joined the military.

Well, bill is a bill and we tip our cap to Sen. Lapid. His bill may be funny but his intention in helping the kids is as serious as he is. We should not expect the senator from Pampanga to craft complicated bills. He is honest in saying that he has humble beginnings that deprived him to pursue a good education.  There is no problem with that.  His rise to fame and power inspires us all that when there is a will there is a way.  In fairness to Mr. Lapid, all would agree that he is one of the busiest legislators in the senate.  He is always there to raise his hand to vote and is always armed with a pen to sign official papers.  A wag told me that all he needs in the senate for the rest of his term is just a set of three good ball pens.

A dismayed Mr. Lapid is not surprised with Sec. Luistro’s snub on his  schoolbag bill for in the past, the Education Department scoffed his other bill advocating the supply of school desks for left-handed students.

If I can suggest, Mr. Lapid’s next bill should compel schools and universities to provide pupils and students  with comfortable chairs for their long hours inside the classroom.  If that is too expensive to implement, probably, a bill that prohibits pupils and students from chewing gum in school campuses to stop  eye sore melting litters on walkways that mess up the shoes.  That bill makes campuses more sanitary and gives school grounds a better look.-30-