Despite the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution being designated a “Special Working Holiday” by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at least six schools in Bacolod City have announced the suspension of classes on Tuesday, February 25.
The decision by these institutions, including prominent names like the University of Saint La Salle (USLS), St. Joseph High School, St. Scholastica’s Academy (SSA), the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), La Consolacion College Bacolod (LCC), and Riverside College, underscores a strong sentiment to honor the historical significance of the event.
The schools’ actions are largely driven by a desire to preserve the memory of the 1986 revolution and to promote civic engagement.
“Let us resist all attempts to erase from our collective memory what our nation achieved in February 1986,” stated a La Salle statement, echoing the sentiment shared by other participating schools. “Let us, in the spirit of EDSA, become engaged citizens and demand accountability from those who govern us.”
USLS President Brother Kenneth Martinez confirmed that the school, alongside other De La Salle Philippines institutions, is suspending classes in response to Proclamation No. 727, which downgraded the EDSA celebration. De La Salle Philippines criticized the proclamation, stating it “seeks to diminish the significance of a pivotal moment in our nation’s history.”
SSA Bacolod has designated Tuesday as a “non-academic/non-working day” to commemorate the revolution and honor those who fought for freedom. The school has also allocated Monday for activities to cultivate patriotism and responsibility among its students.
Other schools, including UNO-R, LCC Bacolod, and Riverside College, released statements emphasizing the importance of reflecting on the values of democracy, unity, and courage embodied by the EDSA revolution.
