formal letter complaint

February 11, 2007

DR. FRUIT GODOY
The President
Association of Science Educators of the Philippines (ASEP)

Attention: The Chairman

Science Investigatory Project (Individual – Elementary Division)

Dear Madam:

I am filing this formal protest for the "disqualification" of Nadya Patricia E. Sauza as participant representing Region 6, Science Investigatory Project (Individual – Elementary Division) to the "National Science Quiz, Science Fair, Sci-Dama". Moreover, I am filing a petition to declare the result of the particular category null and void if not hold the result in abeyance pending the outcome of my petition.

I believe that the decision of the organizers to "disqualify" Nadya is unfair, unjust and devoid of basic human compassion for the child. It was also done without due process: it was made unilaterally, without my knowledge and, as far as I know, without consultation with the concerned DepEd officials of Region 6.

Nadya Patricia E. Sauza is a first place winner in the Regional Science Fair (Region 6) Investigatory Project (Individual – Elementary Division) and a delegate to this National Science Fair here in Baguio City. She is supposed to present her study, "Biodiesel from Waste Animal Fats in a Meat Processing Plant," a research project that has earned the praise of DOST office in our province of Aklan. Taking away her right to participate for unacceptable reason and based on questionable method is contrary to the very theme of the event: "racing to the future through science and technology."

We learned that the organizers decided to strike out Nadya as participant in the Science Investigatory Project (Individual – Elementary Division) through "palabunutan"! This was according to judges themselves, Drs. Lloyd Ordonia and Dr. Bawingan. I feel saddened by this information.

To add insult to injury, the organizers did not inform Nadya that she was not part of the contest anymore. They even let her undergo the prejudging process "so as not to disappoint her."

Nadya worked very hard for her research study. The decision to bar her from participating in the contest has traumatized the young child and affected her emotionally.

The chairman of the Science Investigatory Project (Individual – Elementary Division), blamed DepEd Region 6 for sending more than two delegates so they have to resort to "palabunutan" to trim down the number. But DepEd Region 6 is saying that it has interpreted the rules on the number of participants correctly.

Assuming, without conceding, that DepEd Region 6 is at fault, WHY PUNISH NADYA? Why not call DepEd Region 6 and resolve the matter bilaterally? Or why not choose the two regional first place winners? (The judges said they do not know who the first placers are. Then why not ask?) Or better yet, why not let the four Region 6 delegates join the contest for the sake of scientific discovery, and for the sake of giving simple happiness to our young children? Where is compassion in the decision?

Ultimately, the decision is patently wrong because it did not take the welfare of the children/students—for whom this event is dedicated to—as the main and primary consideration in coming up with such decision. All other considerations should have been secondary.

I am appealing to the organizers to take up this protest and petition immediately and decide with fairness and compassion in favor of Nadya Patricia E. Sauza.

Truly yours,

MS. ANA MARIE M. CABRERA (Sgd)
Teacher/Coach of Nadya Patricia E. Sauza
Starglow Center for Academics and Arts
Division of Aklan, Region 6

(NOTE: This was submitted to ASEP before the awarding ceremony on February 11, 2007.)