By Ayunan G. Gunting / Special to the BusinessMirror
ALTHOUGH she already has the distinction of being Lanao del Norte’s first Muslim female mayor, Eleanor Dimaporo Lantud believes that learing does not stop.
Debunking the belief that the capacity to learn decreases with age, Pantao Ragat Mayor Bae Eleanor, 47, declared, “It’s not too late for me to get a diploma.”
While girding for her gubernatorial candidacy under the Liberal Party, she recently finished the general education course under the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System (ALS).
“I want to widen my knowledge even if I was not able to get a college degree. Lack of academic credentials should not be a barrier to achieving one’s ambitions,” she said in Filipino.
She topped the batch of 222 graduates who attended the commencement exercises in Baroy, Lanao del Norte.
ALS is a substitute learning program for formal education that is run by facilitators. It is offered to people who do not have the time or opportunity to go through the structured program of a school or university.
The ALS classes are conducted according to the convenience of the students. In the past, Filipinos who could not attend elementary or high school, undertook the ALS program to improve basic skills in reading, communication, writing and math.
Bae Eleanor values the importance of continuous learning and how it can enhance her skills in politics. As wisdom is essential in leadership, she says learning helps her to put things in perspective and increases her understanding previous triumphs and failures.
Lifelong learning helps her to adapt to change. She is openminded to adjust to situations, sudden upsets and keep abreast with the modern times.
“The wisdom we gain from continuous learning allows us to offer our expertise to society through meaningful community involvement,” said Bae Eleanor.
With education as a priority, one of her earlier accomplishments as a mayor was to put up day-care centers that provide education in the municipality. Since Pantao Ragat is a remote place, teachers are hard to come by. The day-care centers gave job opportunities to college graduates.
Moreover, a school building was funded by the Department of Education and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Using her people skills, Bae Eleanor gathered local leaders, datus, bais and the National Police, the Armed Forces to improve the peace and order situation in their province.
Bae Eleanor hopes she can pursue her political dreams to further serve the public. She envisions the expansion of infrastructure, the provincial jail and the establishment of centers for abused women and children, a provincial library and sanitation and hygiene programs.