School woes in Northern Luzon: River crossing, ‘no bag’ rule

DAGUPAN CITY, PANGASINAN, Philippines — The resumption of classes in Northern Luzon has once again exposed the daily struggles faced by teachers and students assigned to or living in remote communities in this city, a major commercial hub in Pangasinan. Each morning, teachers board river taxis along the “babaliwan”—a local term referring to the city’s