By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Personnel of E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station in Negros Occidental paved the way for a man to fulfill his dream to finish his studies.
Jay-ar Hernaez completed his basic education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in the town last Thursday.
Hernaez spent his elementary years staying at his relatives’ house in Cadiz City after he ran away from home due to his father’s unpleasant behavior. However, he stopped schooling because he has no birth certificate.
In order to support himself, he decided to work in a sugarcane field. He also worked as a helper and caretaker of a fishpond.
One day, he thought of going back to school. He traveled to Isabela town, where his father lives, to get his school card. However, his bus fare was not enough to reach his hometown, as it was only until E.B. Magalona town.
This forced Hernaez to commit an offense when he tried to allegedly steal some coins upon arriving in E.B. Magalona town. He was brought to the police station, but no complaint was filed against him.
Police Captain Eric Doronila, town police chief, said that policemen were supposed to send him back to Isabela town, but Hernaez insisted to stay under their custody.
Doronila said that he saw how diligent Hernaez was when he was hired as utility personnel at the police station in 2020. Thus, he initiated to enroll Hernaez in ALS so that he could catch up with his education.
Policemen assisted him in his studies while other personnel helped him acquire some documents for his school.
Aside from that, he said Hernaez has a monthly salary at the police station so that he can support himself if he wants to buy something. “Syado ka pisan na bata,” he added.
With his academic achievement, Hernaez thanked those people who were behind his success. He also thanked the local government unit and the Department of Education (Deped) for having this kind of program.
“Ano man kabudlay ang sitwasyon ta, may mga tawo nga ginapadala ang Diyos para mabuligan kita. Kinanlan ta lang gid maninguha kag himuon ang aton masarangan para mangin maayo nga tawo,” Hernaez said in his message during the graduation rites.
