STRONG OPPOSITION
the hillside echo - senior
Numerous groups, individuals condemn CSE, SB 1979
Relevance. Balance. Substance. The Official Student Publication of Filamer Christian University, Inc., Senior High School | Schools Division of Roxas City | June 2024-February 2025 CITY
STORY ON PAGE 03 | CSE
UN-FARE? The new fare matrix in the city received various compalints from the commuters upon its implementation after the pandemic. (PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY COMMUNICATIONS GROUP)
Roxas City enforces new Tricycle Fare Matrix by MIKHAELA FAITH DELEÑA
by the numbers
973
CURRICULUM’S MANDATE. Personality Development teacher, Blessed Grace Odiaman, shows to her HUMSS students a pregnancy test kit, and introduces them to contraceptives like condom, one of the prevalent lessons in her subject revolving around sexuality education. (PHOTO BY JAN CELINE CRESPO)
live births among adolescent mothers, or those aged 19 years old and younger were recorded in Capiz in 2022. (Source: CPD)
500
CAMPUS
Teachers dismayed over ‘excessive’ use of AI in classrooms
adolescents are becoming pregnant and giving birth every day in 2023 in the Philippines. (Source: UNFPA)
by JASMINE BENECIO
High School teachers of Filamer Christian University, Inc. expressed their disappointment and worries during a faculty meeting on November 27 at the Science Laboratory over uncontrolled use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among students in accomplishing school tasks. According to shared sentiments of the teachers, students often use AI chatbot ChatGPT by OpenAI to work on their
TOP STORIES
editorial
Prevention not assumption p4
feature
Not Just Blind Faith:
A Story of Blind Masahista p7
sports
FCU couple entices NPRISAA stage p18
CHATGPT INSTALLED. A student is seen using ChatGPT, an AI tool, on her phone during a Filipino class under Ms. Cagay. (PHOTO BY MARGAUX KELLY BOCALA)
essays, solve mathematical problems, answer their basic assignments, and make titles for research or even write their whole manuscript. “It is alarming how much our students use AI in abusive manner. Some of them do not really make an effort for their school works, and rely most of the time on ChatGPT,” Filipino teacher Jessa Cagay said. For FCU Mass Media Coordinator and publication adviser Jose Erwin Borbon, it is necessary for teachers to
make their own sets of rules in their classes to guide students properly in applying AI like ChatGPT. “As a teacher in Creative Writing and journalism subjects, it is imperative that I critically check the written outputs of my students. Once I smell something is off with their outputs, I call them and confirm if their works are authentic,” he said, sharing his own encounter with students who blatantly use AI. Principal Urla Dela highlighted that AI is part of the technological advancement under the 21st century, but in the education context, students must responsibly use it as ‘partner’ and not ‘slave’.
READ MORE ON PAGE 03 | AI
To prevent excessive fare collection, local government officials mandated the posting of a Tricycle Fare Matrix inside tricycles through the Traffic Management Unit (TMU) of Roxas City. This initiative follows City Ordinance 024-2024, dated May 28, which sets new regulations for tricycle fares. City Councilor Rey Magallanes, Chairman of the Committee on Public Utilities and Transportation, sponsored and authored this ordinance. According to the ordinance, regular passengers will pay P15 for the first two kilometers, while senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities (PWD) will pay P10, with an additional P5 for every subsequent kilometer. Additionally, children measuring 3 feet and below will ride for free, specifically those under ten years old. Penalties have been established for drivers who violate these regulations: P1,500 for the first offense,P3,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 for the third offense. Most importantly, for the fourth offense and any subsequent violations, the penalty will be a suspension of a driver's franchise for three months. Authorities warned drivers not to overcharge, while commuters are encouraged not to hesitate in reporting incidents of fare overcharging to relevant offices. Students expressed their support for the fare matrix, stating that it will help them avoid paying extra when commuting to school. “Tani sundon na ni sang mga tricycle driver kay damo gid katama sang ga overprice sa pagpanukot sa siyudad,” one student emphasized. The Tricycle Fare Matrix serves as a reference for passengers and drivers regarding fares for tricycle rides throughout the city.