Genuine sacrifice for the public
The wreckage brought by Bagyong Ondoy resulted to genuine union among Filipinos after years of disunity (the last authentic union I could remember was during the first EDSA revolution).
Civilians, professionals and men in uniform collaborated efforts to render much-needed help to the typhoon’s victims.
Filipinos bore witness to the heroism of artists, yuppies, professionals in different fields and especially ordinary policemen and policewomen, who were used to be tagged as good for nothing cops who are last to rescue, in whatever crime and whatever calamity.
This time, cops were not the last. In fact, policemen and policewomen were captured on television rescuing our distraught countrymen from neck-deep floodwaters or helping distribute relief goods to victims of the deluge.
Hundreds of them sacrificed in helping their own families who are also victims of Ondoy in order to render even a little relief to many families who also need help. Policemen this time answered the call of their duty, sacrificing the call of their respective families.
A good example is the 90% of the police force in Marikina—whose homes were also devastated by “Ondoy” who preferred not to go home to rebuild their lives because of, according to Chief Supt, Nick Bartolome, the “call of duty.” They could not go home yet because they have been assigned in the relief, rescue and clean-up operations in the Ondoy-battered areas.
“Policemen are also victims themselves, but they are not minding their problems at this time. They are concentrating on rescue, relief, and clean-up operations,” Bartolome, head of the PNP community relations group, said in a media interview. “Also, they have cancelled leaves so they cannot attend to their problems.”
Nevertheless, these cops remain in high morale, he said, because they are able to help other people.
In Quezon City, a thousand policemen "armed" with shovels, rakes and brooms led the cleanup in flood-devastated areas like Tatalon, Bagong Silangan and the corner of E. Rodriguez and Araneta avenues.
These unsung heroes are increasing in number under the watch of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronnie Puno as National Police Commission (Napolcom) chairman.
During the recent celebration by Napolcom to mark its 43rd foundation anniversary, the Napolcom recognized the acts of heroism and gallantry of several policemen who almost lost their lives in carrying out their mission as protectors of the people.
“The acts of bravery of these police officers clearly manifests their commitment to serve and protect the people,” Escueta said during the Napolcom anniversary program.
These good things that we’ve been hearing about the PNP are the fruits of the moral transformation program that Puno, as Napolcom chairman, is helping the police organization implement on his watch.
Puno, who has always fiercely defended the PNP from criticisms, lobbied, cajoled and begged Malacañang to increase his Department’s budget to enable the PNP to acquire more patrol cars, guns and other equipment; build more police stations; refurbish their tanks and patrol boats; raise the salaries of its personnel; and provide retirees with more pension benefits.
Escueta pointed out during the Napolcom affair that Puno has done much on his current watch as Napolcom chairman to improve the living and working conditions of our police officers.
We can see for ourselves that what Escueta said is true.
Police stations have been refurbished; many of our police officers now have spanking new patrol cars and motorcycles, and in some districts, they even carry Blackberries and use GPS systems to track down violators of the law.
Puno wants to make both our police officers, and the people they serve, proud of what they are doing as “protectors of the people,” in keeping with the PNP mantra “to serve and protect.”
Sen. Edgardo Angara, who delivered the keynote speech during the Napolcom anniversary celebration, likewise credited Puno for having the “vision and energy” in helping transform the Napolcom into a “well-structured, well-directed” agency that exercises control and supervision over the PNP.
The Napolcom awardees were:
o P/SInsp. Elmer Santiago who on the evening of July 25, 2009 in Hermosa, Bataan, together with two other policemen, valiantly fought a group of armed communist insurgents belonging to the Marxista Leninista Partido ng Pilipinas/Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan. The encounter led to the death of one of the rebel leaders and the arrest of another member of the communist group.
o P/C Insp. Gilberto Tuzon, for his exceptional courage as the ground commander of the police teams dispatched to Mindanao to pursue MILF rebels in Cotabato.
o PO3 Rommel Salcedo, for his conspicuous act of gallantry when he shot it out with members of a crime group believed to be responsible for a series of bank robberies in Metro Manila. Salcedo mortally wounded a member of the gang during one of their attempts to rob a UCPB branch office in Barangay Poblacion in Makati City.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Miriam’s another paranoia towards genuine help to Ondoy’s victims
Miriam’s another paranoia towards genuine help to Ondoy’s victims
With the gloomy devastation brought by the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy, Filipinos are welcoming every help they can receive from individuals and institutions, both Filipino and foreign. Ondoy’s victims are not left alone as sincere help continue to pour in from everyone around the globe. All Filipinos are overwhelming with appreciation. All, except one. Yes, she is Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, whose paranoia overrules her compassion for the victims and appreciation to those who genuinely help.
It’s the worst thing that a Filipino politician can do. While she is in the comfort of her home and office, Miriam is again casting motive where there is none, finding ghosts and shadows where there is only unalloyed humanitarian gesture.
Miriam sees dark conspiracies around her and views the VFA with strings attached, People see humanitarian gestures, pure motives, unsullied gestures.
According to accounts, members of the 3rd US Marine Expeditionary Force are on a medical mission in the Ondoy-ravaged areas. In Marikina City alone, some 100 GIs or American soldiers are attending to about 1,000 patients a day.
Two more US military units–31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, both stationed in Okinawa, Japan–will have arrived by this time, bringing with them heavy equipment to help in the cleanup of the disaster areas. Such equipment include a bulldozer, five cargo trucks, five heavy transport vehicles and two heavy-lift helicopters.
Only somebody with a twisted mind will shout to the world that there is a vicious motive behind the US’ gesture of help because it is, to her, a springboard for the American troops who will help in the relief and rehabilitation work to stay in the Philippines for good.
To Miriam, the real motive behind the humanitarian mission of these US troops is so they could possibly go to Mindanao on the sly and mount an assault on the Abu Sayyaf to avenge the deaths of two American soldiers who were killed in a rebel-orchestrated bomb explosion in Sulu.
No one casts motive on the help and assistance rendered by do-gooders, even if they are foreigners or politicians. At this point, Ondoy victims need all the help they can get.
The only one grating voice, seemingly unmoved by the great human tragedy around her, is Miriam.
What is happening to this Senator? Has she been lately drinking a number of liquors that her mind and right senses cannot anymore contain resulting to her irrationality, delusion and persecutory beliefs concerning a perceived threat?
The upcoming 2010 elections will dictate Miriam’s fate in the world of politics. The election will hopefully serve as Miriam’s day of reckoning. She has inflicted so much harm to innocent people and institutions. The voters in May should say “Enough” to her very destructive antics.
Much of the poison well in the country’s political discussions has been the work of Miriam. There should be a collective, conscious effort to reject her Senate run in 2010.
Mediocrity has no place here
Mediocrity has no place here
Exemplary public servants know who belongs to their flock.
That is why they do not promote Miriam’s mediocre husband despite her arm-twisting the BIR.
Narciso “Jun” Santiago Jr., the husband of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago who was a middling customs personnel in the late 1960s and early 1970s, assigned to insignificant jobs at the customs intelligence and investigation division (CIID).
Then-Customs Commissioner Ramon Farolan, did not promote Jun Santiago from his obscure post because Farolan can spot real talent when he sees one. Even Bobby Tañada, the former senator, who started out as the first customs commissioner after the fall of Marcos never recognized Jun Santiago as a talent
This is perhaps is what is at the root of the extreme opposition of BIR Commissioner Sixto Esquivias IV to turning over the Large Taxpayers Service to Santiago, who is now presidential adviser on revenue enhancement (PARE).
Esquivias fears that Santiago–in this particular context of a global economic meltdown–may just make a sorry mess of the LTS, which would depress, not enhance, the revenue collection of the BIR. Esquivias’ fears have real basis, if the track record of Santiago at the customs bureau were to be used as basis.
For sure, Esquivias did his background checking and apparently found nothing to assure himself that the LTS will be enhanced as a major BIR unit under Jun Santiago.
The Santiago couple seems to have an undue interest in a BIR unit that handles the largest corporate and individual taxpayers in the country.
This is why Senator Santiago is arm-twisting Esquivias to turn over a prized BIR unit like the LTS to her husband.
If Senator Santiago feels she scored points over Esquivias when she terrorized the BIR commissioner for his opposition to giving away the LTS to Jun Santiago, the public has a different interpretation of the events.
Senator Santiago was perceived as the caricature of a politician motivated by selfish and vested interest, lobbying for the grant of undeserved power and perks for her husband.
There are several powerful women in Philippine society who are always working to promote their average or mediocre husbands but no one can top the singular intensity of Miriam in this department.
If Finance Secretary Margarito Teves wants to preserve his image as a professional, he should support Esquivias and reject the power tripping of the Santiago couple.
Teves should tell the Santiago couple to rein in their ambition. The LTS is too crucial and important to national revenue collection effort to be left to somebody with the mediocrity of Jun Santiago whose only plus point in his resume is his being married to Brenda.
Gibo-Ronnie tandem gets clear edge
Gibo-Ronnie tandem gets clear edge
Filipinos are looking at four tandems for the 2010 elections: Gibo-Ronnie, Noynoy-Mar, Chiz and Erap whose running mates are still unidentified as of yet.
Who has the edge among the four, is the strongest and whose strength will last even up until the election period?
Surveys show that even with all the mud thrown at President Arroyo, she still has a solid 25% support (or approval rating) among Filipinos, that would translate into about 8.25 million voters going to the anointed bets of President Arroyo.
The rest of those dissatisfied with the President, which number around 45% would vote for the other opposition bets—meaning that the likes of Noynoy, Erap and Chiz would have to fight over this 45%. The 30% who are undecided could go either way.
This scenario gives the Gibo-Ronnie team a head start because even without doing anything they are already assured of 8.25 million of the 10 million votes or so needed to win in 2010, just by being identified with President Arroyo.
The Gibo-Ronnie tandem is assured of some 8 million votes at the start of the race by just being endorsed by President Arroyo.
The Noynoy-Mar tandem’s familiarity and good smell to people are too limited, and cannot sustain until the election period. They have to work hard to earn people’s votes for them. Their works are obvious. We have Noynoy using her sister Kris Aquino who dominates most of the shows on a TV network and whose frankness irritates the public. Mar is using a lot of expensive infomercials like “Padyak,” but he still has not earned points from people. Chiz is still waiting for his 40th birthday to qualify to run for Presidency. Erap? I cannot believe an impeached President still has guts to run.
Clearly, President Arroyo’s endorsement, along with the administration party's well-oiled political machinery reaching down to the grassroots level and the candidates' qualifications, proves the clear edge of the Gibo-Ronnie tandem.
Filipinos are looking at four tandems for the 2010 elections: Gibo-Ronnie, Noynoy-Mar, Chiz and Erap whose running mates are still unidentified as of yet.
Who has the edge among the four, is the strongest and whose strength will last even up until the election period?
Surveys show that even with all the mud thrown at President Arroyo, she still has a solid 25% support (or approval rating) among Filipinos, that would translate into about 8.25 million voters going to the anointed bets of President Arroyo.
The rest of those dissatisfied with the President, which number around 45% would vote for the other opposition bets—meaning that the likes of Noynoy, Erap and Chiz would have to fight over this 45%. The 30% who are undecided could go either way.
This scenario gives the Gibo-Ronnie team a head start because even without doing anything they are already assured of 8.25 million of the 10 million votes or so needed to win in 2010, just by being identified with President Arroyo.
The Gibo-Ronnie tandem is assured of some 8 million votes at the start of the race by just being endorsed by President Arroyo.
The Noynoy-Mar tandem’s familiarity and good smell to people are too limited, and cannot sustain until the election period. They have to work hard to earn people’s votes for them. Their works are obvious. We have Noynoy using her sister Kris Aquino who dominates most of the shows on a TV network and whose frankness irritates the public. Mar is using a lot of expensive infomercials like “Padyak,” but he still has not earned points from people. Chiz is still waiting for his 40th birthday to qualify to run for Presidency. Erap? I cannot believe an impeached President still has guts to run.
Clearly, President Arroyo’s endorsement, along with the administration party's well-oiled political machinery reaching down to the grassroots level and the candidates' qualifications, proves the clear edge of the Gibo-Ronnie tandem.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Should we rob them of their wealth?
Should we rob them of their wealth?
Aerial spraying of fungicides in the vast banana plantations of Mindanao is safe. GPS-controlled mechanisms are now employed in all banana plantation spray runs since it reduces the volume of fungicide used.
Dr. Emily Fabregar, technical committee chief of the Philippne Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), made this assurance during her presentation of a paper on “Global Positioning System (GPS): A New Technology for Farm Application,” during the foundation celebration of the University of the Philippines - Mindanao (UP-Min) in Davao City.
Dr. Fabregar said the use of GPS has greatly reduced the risk to humans since the system automatically shuts of spraying equipment when it leaves the target area.
She said the “intelligent spraying” systems employed by PBGEA are also controlled via GPS. The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) requires 50-meter defaults along the area perimeters of the plantations to be sprayed. Showing a video clip of an actual aerial spray run by a PBGEA fixed-wing plane, the cut-off mechanism clearly showed that the misty spray stopped before reaching the boundaries (identified by a river in the clip) with enough room to spare. This should allay concerns expressed by some quarters regarding off-target spraying in banana plantations.
GPS allows no room for pilot error that may cause drift or off-target spraying. The fungicides are sprayed on banana plants to prevent a fungus called “sigatoka” from spreading. This fungus attacks banana leaves and causes premature ripening and freckles on the fruits. With premature ripening and freckles, bananas cannot pass export quality control. With the help of the aerial spraying, our banana planters in Mindanao earn huge income from exporting that helps uplift Mindanao’s, and even Philippines’, economy. Should we rob them of this wealth even if they’re doing the safest thing?
Aerial spraying of fungicides in the vast banana plantations of Mindanao is safe. GPS-controlled mechanisms are now employed in all banana plantation spray runs since it reduces the volume of fungicide used.
Dr. Emily Fabregar, technical committee chief of the Philippne Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), made this assurance during her presentation of a paper on “Global Positioning System (GPS): A New Technology for Farm Application,” during the foundation celebration of the University of the Philippines - Mindanao (UP-Min) in Davao City.
Dr. Fabregar said the use of GPS has greatly reduced the risk to humans since the system automatically shuts of spraying equipment when it leaves the target area.
She said the “intelligent spraying” systems employed by PBGEA are also controlled via GPS. The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) requires 50-meter defaults along the area perimeters of the plantations to be sprayed. Showing a video clip of an actual aerial spray run by a PBGEA fixed-wing plane, the cut-off mechanism clearly showed that the misty spray stopped before reaching the boundaries (identified by a river in the clip) with enough room to spare. This should allay concerns expressed by some quarters regarding off-target spraying in banana plantations.
GPS allows no room for pilot error that may cause drift or off-target spraying. The fungicides are sprayed on banana plants to prevent a fungus called “sigatoka” from spreading. This fungus attacks banana leaves and causes premature ripening and freckles on the fruits. With premature ripening and freckles, bananas cannot pass export quality control. With the help of the aerial spraying, our banana planters in Mindanao earn huge income from exporting that helps uplift Mindanao’s, and even Philippines’, economy. Should we rob them of this wealth even if they’re doing the safest thing?
Banned for doing the safe way
Banned for doing the safe way
Aerial spraying in Davao city is initially banned. Due to this, Lapanday has closed its Mandug banana plantation within the city. More than 150 hectares of a previously viable and productive banana farm has been lost due to an ordinance that was enacted rather impulsively..
These banana planters are deprived of their business and income due to unfounded allegations and despite managing their business the safe way.
Dr. Eufemio Tan Rasco, Jr., author of “The Unfolding Gene Revolution” recognized as the NAST “Outstanding Book of the Year 2008,” said during a forum on science-based agriculture conducted in January at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City that the most cost-effective solution to the sigatoka problem was aerial spraying.
Global Positioning Systems-controlled mechanisms are now employed in all banana plantation spray runs since it reduces the volume of fungicide used. GPS allows no room for pilot error that may cause drift or off-target spraying. The fungicides are sprayed on banana plants to prevent a fungus called “sigatoka” from spreading. This fungus attacks banana leaves and causes premature ripening and freckles on the fruits. With premature ripening and freckles, bananas cannot pass export quality control.
Dr. Rasco stressed it was funny that the ban was imposed on the solution to the problem besetting the banana industry.
This initial ban unjustly deprives poor banana farmers of their only source of income due to the unfounded cause of so-called environmentalist groups who can not even provide the planters of an alternative income; who call for a ban and after its approval, leave the farmers hungry, pockets-empty and in essence suffer from a dim-witted stand.
Aerial spraying in Davao city is initially banned. Due to this, Lapanday has closed its Mandug banana plantation within the city. More than 150 hectares of a previously viable and productive banana farm has been lost due to an ordinance that was enacted rather impulsively..
These banana planters are deprived of their business and income due to unfounded allegations and despite managing their business the safe way.
Dr. Eufemio Tan Rasco, Jr., author of “The Unfolding Gene Revolution” recognized as the NAST “Outstanding Book of the Year 2008,” said during a forum on science-based agriculture conducted in January at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City that the most cost-effective solution to the sigatoka problem was aerial spraying.
Global Positioning Systems-controlled mechanisms are now employed in all banana plantation spray runs since it reduces the volume of fungicide used. GPS allows no room for pilot error that may cause drift or off-target spraying. The fungicides are sprayed on banana plants to prevent a fungus called “sigatoka” from spreading. This fungus attacks banana leaves and causes premature ripening and freckles on the fruits. With premature ripening and freckles, bananas cannot pass export quality control.
Dr. Rasco stressed it was funny that the ban was imposed on the solution to the problem besetting the banana industry.
This initial ban unjustly deprives poor banana farmers of their only source of income due to the unfounded cause of so-called environmentalist groups who can not even provide the planters of an alternative income; who call for a ban and after its approval, leave the farmers hungry, pockets-empty and in essence suffer from a dim-witted stand.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Decipher – human rights advocates in bad faith and human rights advocates in good faith
Decipher – human rights advocates in bad faith and human rights advocates in good faith
They say they are human rights advocate. They fight for the rights of the people, especially the marginalized many. But in reality, they are not.
The Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spray is hurling mad to cripple, and worse, kill the banana industry. They think they are fighting for the people’s cause. But in truth, they are guilty of violating the basic human rights to live and survive the present economic hard times, right to employment and the right to live without any inch of hunger.
“We promise to spread awareness about the issue and to help the victims of aerial spraying in Mindanao in whatever way we can,” added Cherryl Si, president of the Development Society.
She should be enlightened and she should come down to Davao City to personally learn the truth about aerial spraying from actual experience and knowledge and not through the forger Maas.
So-called development societies called on the banana industry “to prioritize the welfare of the people over any profit-generating strategy” that undermines the rights of the people.”
Without the banana industry in the Davao Region, the right and welfare of the people to live decent lives is lost. Maas’ ultimate aim is to kill the industry, cause unemployment and sow economic chaos, a formula that enemies of the state use to topple the government. Banana planters were invited explore alternatives to aerial spraying since they say these are equally effective in ridding crops of pests as seen in Bukidnon and North Cotabato where banana plantations continue to thrive despite compliance to provincial bans.
This is another misinformation brought to Manila by Magaway to gain ears to his demented logic that lies can win the battle for him against aerial spraying. There are at present aerial spraying applications in Bukidnon and Central Mindanao.
A development society cited a recently released study commissioned by the Department of Health that showed traces of pesticides in blood of residents and in air and water samples in Sitio Camocaan, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. The study recommended a ban on aerial spraying and a shift to organic farming methods to protect public health.”
The DOH in Region XI has disowned any role in the study whose findings were never validated. The alleged environmentalist-toxicologists behind the study are now in the Most Wanted List of residents of Camocaan in Hagonoy who have resented the falsity hurled against the industry that has brought—not threats–but peace and progress and development to their communities.
here are always two sides to a coin in scams THE PRETENDERS BUT IN BAD FAITH AND THE VICTIMS. Let us learn to decipher the real intention of the pretenders, fight a genuine battle on basic human rights and not using it as a mask to earn ill-reputation and money, and fight for the industry who are true defenders & advocates of people’s rights and upon which hundreds of thousands of people depend for survival.
They say they are human rights advocate. They fight for the rights of the people, especially the marginalized many. But in reality, they are not.
The Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spray is hurling mad to cripple, and worse, kill the banana industry. They think they are fighting for the people’s cause. But in truth, they are guilty of violating the basic human rights to live and survive the present economic hard times, right to employment and the right to live without any inch of hunger.
“We promise to spread awareness about the issue and to help the victims of aerial spraying in Mindanao in whatever way we can,” added Cherryl Si, president of the Development Society.
She should be enlightened and she should come down to Davao City to personally learn the truth about aerial spraying from actual experience and knowledge and not through the forger Maas.
So-called development societies called on the banana industry “to prioritize the welfare of the people over any profit-generating strategy” that undermines the rights of the people.”
Without the banana industry in the Davao Region, the right and welfare of the people to live decent lives is lost. Maas’ ultimate aim is to kill the industry, cause unemployment and sow economic chaos, a formula that enemies of the state use to topple the government. Banana planters were invited explore alternatives to aerial spraying since they say these are equally effective in ridding crops of pests as seen in Bukidnon and North Cotabato where banana plantations continue to thrive despite compliance to provincial bans.
This is another misinformation brought to Manila by Magaway to gain ears to his demented logic that lies can win the battle for him against aerial spraying. There are at present aerial spraying applications in Bukidnon and Central Mindanao.
A development society cited a recently released study commissioned by the Department of Health that showed traces of pesticides in blood of residents and in air and water samples in Sitio Camocaan, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. The study recommended a ban on aerial spraying and a shift to organic farming methods to protect public health.”
The DOH in Region XI has disowned any role in the study whose findings were never validated. The alleged environmentalist-toxicologists behind the study are now in the Most Wanted List of residents of Camocaan in Hagonoy who have resented the falsity hurled against the industry that has brought—not threats–but peace and progress and development to their communities.
here are always two sides to a coin in scams THE PRETENDERS BUT IN BAD FAITH AND THE VICTIMS. Let us learn to decipher the real intention of the pretenders, fight a genuine battle on basic human rights and not using it as a mask to earn ill-reputation and money, and fight for the industry who are true defenders & advocates of people’s rights and upon which hundreds of thousands of people depend for survival.
Please stop fraudulent fights for human advocates
Please stop fraudulent fights for human advocates
I empathize with Filipinos who trying to make both ends meet and are aspiring for a better life but whose dreams are hampered by fraudulent human rights advocates.
One of these Filipinos are the residents of sitio Camocaan in Davao del Sur, who are able to meet their needs due, for one, to the help of a banana industry which feeds and employs thousands of people and brings in export revenues of about $700 million annually. This banana industry, however, are attacked by fraudulent advocates who are using strategies to put a ban to the aerial spraying of pesticides.
Residents of Sitio Camocaan asked these fraud advocates to stop degrading their dignity by harping on his still-to- be- reviewed study of their health and environment.
Camocaan’s tribal chieftain, Leonardo Tigao, was vocal in expressing disappointment on studies of Doctors who forgot their obligation as a public servant by doing nothing the past three years to act on their findings that the village’s children are suffering from malnutrition.
The residents were treated as if they and their children are just pests to be studied.
Con advocates say aerial spraying aims to rid banana crops of the Sigatoka fungus but causes proven health and environmental problems since harmful chemicals are indiscriminately applied with no distinction between pests and humans.”
But the Department of Health in Region XI, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) and a Special Investigating Team created by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte have conducted studies to deny claim of risk to health and environment from aerial spraying.
Development Society clamors to stop what has been called “toxic rain” and committed to launch a signature drive and spread information about the plight of communities affected by aerial spraying through various communities and social networking tools.
In Davao City, residents know what is toxic rain: and they know the lies and black propaganda levelled by development societies against the banana industry – and they will not be fooled.
Development societies pledge to support their quest for human rights, including the right not to be poisoned with hazardous substances, by telling others about their stories and hopes. They do not know what they are talking about. They do not understand that they are putting the residents of sitio camocaan in a desperate plight due to the wrong stand and cause they are fighting for. Please, do more studies, get to know the genuine truth, fight for what is really for the good of the people and stop your fraudulent battle, which are only for your benefit and at the expense of the many.
I empathize with Filipinos who trying to make both ends meet and are aspiring for a better life but whose dreams are hampered by fraudulent human rights advocates.
One of these Filipinos are the residents of sitio Camocaan in Davao del Sur, who are able to meet their needs due, for one, to the help of a banana industry which feeds and employs thousands of people and brings in export revenues of about $700 million annually. This banana industry, however, are attacked by fraudulent advocates who are using strategies to put a ban to the aerial spraying of pesticides.
Residents of Sitio Camocaan asked these fraud advocates to stop degrading their dignity by harping on his still-to- be- reviewed study of their health and environment.
Camocaan’s tribal chieftain, Leonardo Tigao, was vocal in expressing disappointment on studies of Doctors who forgot their obligation as a public servant by doing nothing the past three years to act on their findings that the village’s children are suffering from malnutrition.
The residents were treated as if they and their children are just pests to be studied.
Con advocates say aerial spraying aims to rid banana crops of the Sigatoka fungus but causes proven health and environmental problems since harmful chemicals are indiscriminately applied with no distinction between pests and humans.”
But the Department of Health in Region XI, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) and a Special Investigating Team created by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte have conducted studies to deny claim of risk to health and environment from aerial spraying.
Development Society clamors to stop what has been called “toxic rain” and committed to launch a signature drive and spread information about the plight of communities affected by aerial spraying through various communities and social networking tools.
In Davao City, residents know what is toxic rain: and they know the lies and black propaganda levelled by development societies against the banana industry – and they will not be fooled.
Development societies pledge to support their quest for human rights, including the right not to be poisoned with hazardous substances, by telling others about their stories and hopes. They do not know what they are talking about. They do not understand that they are putting the residents of sitio camocaan in a desperate plight due to the wrong stand and cause they are fighting for. Please, do more studies, get to know the genuine truth, fight for what is really for the good of the people and stop your fraudulent battle, which are only for your benefit and at the expense of the many.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Gaining justice – thanks to many
Criminals, no matter how cunning, cannot escape the hands of justice. The case of Ruby Rose Barrameda Jimenez, the woman who was missing for more than two years and whose body was found by police authorities last June 10, stuffed inside a drum that was sealed in a cemented steel case, proves this.
The steel case was fished out of the waters of Navotas after a suspect in the murder of Ruby Rose—Manuel Montero—confessed to his involvement in the case and helped the police recover the body.
Montero’s confession led to the filing of murder charges against influential and cunning fishing magnate Lope Jimenez and his brother, lawyer Manuel Jimenez II, who is Ruby Rose’s father-in-law, before the Department of Justice (DOJ). Also charged with murder were Montero and four others. The family of Ruby Rose had also included her husband, Manuel Jimenez III, in the murder complaint.
Beauty queen-actress and victim’s sister Rochelle Barrameda thanked the many people who have been assisting them in the case. She singled out Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronnie Puno, who, unknown to many, has long been helping the Barramedas in their search for truth and justice.
“Kitang-kita ko po ang sincerity ni Secretary Puno sa pagtulong sa aming pamilya kaya po kami ay nagpapasalamat sa kanya,” Rochelle said during a televised press conference.
Rochelle recalled that Puno has been helping their family ever since she sought his assistance, through a common friend, in searching for Ruby Rose since 2007.
Following Rochelle’s personal appeal to the DILG secretary two years ago, it was learned that Puno mobilized the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in looking for witnesses who could shed light on Ruby Rose’s whereabouts, with police probers searching as far as Bicol. But it was only after Montero came forward that the police found a solid lead that led to last June’s recovery of Ruby Rose’s body.
Rochelle said that she was heartened to learn that Puno is continuing to help her family now that they are faced with a much tougher and longer struggle, which is to put Ruby Rose’s murderers behind bars.
The steel case was fished out of the waters of Navotas after a suspect in the murder of Ruby Rose—Manuel Montero—confessed to his involvement in the case and helped the police recover the body.
Montero’s confession led to the filing of murder charges against influential and cunning fishing magnate Lope Jimenez and his brother, lawyer Manuel Jimenez II, who is Ruby Rose’s father-in-law, before the Department of Justice (DOJ). Also charged with murder were Montero and four others. The family of Ruby Rose had also included her husband, Manuel Jimenez III, in the murder complaint.
Beauty queen-actress and victim’s sister Rochelle Barrameda thanked the many people who have been assisting them in the case. She singled out Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronnie Puno, who, unknown to many, has long been helping the Barramedas in their search for truth and justice.
“Kitang-kita ko po ang sincerity ni Secretary Puno sa pagtulong sa aming pamilya kaya po kami ay nagpapasalamat sa kanya,” Rochelle said during a televised press conference.
Rochelle recalled that Puno has been helping their family ever since she sought his assistance, through a common friend, in searching for Ruby Rose since 2007.
Following Rochelle’s personal appeal to the DILG secretary two years ago, it was learned that Puno mobilized the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in looking for witnesses who could shed light on Ruby Rose’s whereabouts, with police probers searching as far as Bicol. But it was only after Montero came forward that the police found a solid lead that led to last June’s recovery of Ruby Rose’s body.
Rochelle said that she was heartened to learn that Puno is continuing to help her family now that they are faced with a much tougher and longer struggle, which is to put Ruby Rose’s murderers behind bars.
Traffic violators and over speeding drivers, disciplined!
Tuesday last week, I was waiting for a tricycle for home when lovers on a motorcycle were hit by a bus running at 180 kph while the lovers were trying to maneuver over the opposite street. It was so sudden that the last thing I saw were the lovers’ cadavers, “heads” spread on the street.
The nauseating view has not left me until now. I was so enraged with anger to the bus driver who was over speeding on the highway.
While reading a national paper, I was somehow delighted to know that DILG Secretary Ronnie Puno is heightening his move against drivers over speeding and other violators of traffic laws and regulations.
Puno directed the PNP’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) headed by its director, Chief Supt. Orlando Mabutas, to increase its visibility on national roads and other major thoroughfares and step up its crackdown against traffic law violators.
“Upon the instructions of the President, I have directed Chief Superintendent Mabutas of the HPG to step up its campaign against overspeeding motorists, drunk drivers and other violators of traffic laws,” Puno said.
Puno noted that most motorists seem to be unaware of the maximum allowable speed limits as prescribed under existing laws.
The prescribed maximum allowable speed limits under Republic Act 4136, otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code are 80 km/hr for passenger cars and motorcycles, and 50 km/hr for trucks and buses in open country roads “with no blind corners not closely bordered by habitation.” On “through” streets or boulevards clear of traffic with no blind corners, the limits are 40 km/hr for passenger cars and motorcycles and 30 km/hr for trucks and buses .
On city and municipal streets with light traffic and not designated as through streets, the speed limit for cars, motorcycles, trucks and buses is 30 km/hr. For crowded streets “approaching intersections at blind corners, passing school zones, passing other vehicles which are stationary or for similar dangerous circumstances,” maximum allowable speeds are 30 km/hr for cars and motorcycles and 20 km/hr for trucks and buses.
I hope drivers now will take safety a part of their culture. We do not know who will suffer tomorrow, who will bereave over someone’s loss or who will lose a father, mother or a bread winner due to the negligence of others. I believe Puno’s cause against undisciplined drivers will go a long way.
The nauseating view has not left me until now. I was so enraged with anger to the bus driver who was over speeding on the highway.
While reading a national paper, I was somehow delighted to know that DILG Secretary Ronnie Puno is heightening his move against drivers over speeding and other violators of traffic laws and regulations.
Puno directed the PNP’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) headed by its director, Chief Supt. Orlando Mabutas, to increase its visibility on national roads and other major thoroughfares and step up its crackdown against traffic law violators.
“Upon the instructions of the President, I have directed Chief Superintendent Mabutas of the HPG to step up its campaign against overspeeding motorists, drunk drivers and other violators of traffic laws,” Puno said.
Puno noted that most motorists seem to be unaware of the maximum allowable speed limits as prescribed under existing laws.
The prescribed maximum allowable speed limits under Republic Act 4136, otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code are 80 km/hr for passenger cars and motorcycles, and 50 km/hr for trucks and buses in open country roads “with no blind corners not closely bordered by habitation.” On “through” streets or boulevards clear of traffic with no blind corners, the limits are 40 km/hr for passenger cars and motorcycles and 30 km/hr for trucks and buses .
On city and municipal streets with light traffic and not designated as through streets, the speed limit for cars, motorcycles, trucks and buses is 30 km/hr. For crowded streets “approaching intersections at blind corners, passing school zones, passing other vehicles which are stationary or for similar dangerous circumstances,” maximum allowable speeds are 30 km/hr for cars and motorcycles and 20 km/hr for trucks and buses.
I hope drivers now will take safety a part of their culture. We do not know who will suffer tomorrow, who will bereave over someone’s loss or who will lose a father, mother or a bread winner due to the negligence of others. I believe Puno’s cause against undisciplined drivers will go a long way.
They who do not know the reality
Priests who should promote impart upon people that which is true, honest and with bases are telling people wrongs and unfounded claims.
Lilia Mosqueda of the Gagmay Kristohanong Katilingban (Small Christian Community) said Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying president Cecilia Moran and a certain Liezl Bacalso were reported to have talked to the parishioners during mass for the Feast of St. Ignatius at the Ateneo de Manila University last July 30, to the seminarians at the Ateneo School of Theology, to students of the Ateneo Law School at Rockwell in Makati and to socialites at the Nine-Mile Bar along Kalayaan Avenue in Quezon City.
"Their forum is a grossly one-sided affair and is a repudiation of Ateneo's time-honored tradition of being issue-confronting but dialogic and educative," said an Ateneo Law School student.
Cecilia Moran’s neighbours expressed shock and dismay that some priests in Manila have fallen for her emotional outburst against Davao's banana industry.
Barangay Captain Romulo C. Tubal of Dacudao, Calinan said people opposing the aerial spraying are totally disconnected from Barangay and reality. Tubal said that they insist on using "pesticides" because Manila residents associate it with "insecticides" and therefore harmful when the truth of the matter is that what is being sprayed is low-dose fungicide. He said that they do not represent the majority sentiments of the people who are daily witnesses to the good agricultural practices of the industry and who have actual experience for the past 30 years of the effects of low-dose fungicide to their health and environment. "It is not harmful as it is milder than table salt, coffee or laundry soaps contrary to their claim that it is as strong as insecticides," he said.
Lilia Mosqueda of the Gagmay Kristohanong Katilingban (Small Christian Community) said Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying president Cecilia Moran and a certain Liezl Bacalso were reported to have talked to the parishioners during mass for the Feast of St. Ignatius at the Ateneo de Manila University last July 30, to the seminarians at the Ateneo School of Theology, to students of the Ateneo Law School at Rockwell in Makati and to socialites at the Nine-Mile Bar along Kalayaan Avenue in Quezon City.
"Their forum is a grossly one-sided affair and is a repudiation of Ateneo's time-honored tradition of being issue-confronting but dialogic and educative," said an Ateneo Law School student.
Cecilia Moran’s neighbours expressed shock and dismay that some priests in Manila have fallen for her emotional outburst against Davao's banana industry.
Barangay Captain Romulo C. Tubal of Dacudao, Calinan said people opposing the aerial spraying are totally disconnected from Barangay and reality. Tubal said that they insist on using "pesticides" because Manila residents associate it with "insecticides" and therefore harmful when the truth of the matter is that what is being sprayed is low-dose fungicide. He said that they do not represent the majority sentiments of the people who are daily witnesses to the good agricultural practices of the industry and who have actual experience for the past 30 years of the effects of low-dose fungicide to their health and environment. "It is not harmful as it is milder than table salt, coffee or laundry soaps contrary to their claim that it is as strong as insecticides," he said.
Doctors violate code of ethics?
Where's the code of ethics?
The International Code of Medical Ethics provides that a doctor has the duty to use great caution in publishing discoveries.
This code of ethics sworn with the help of God during the oath-taking are not always carefully exercised and followed.
Dr Romeo Quijano released an unfounded allegation that Residents of Sitio Camocaan in Davao del Sur are “are sick and dying due to the aerial spraying of pesticide, said the residents.
Justice pays, for this has earned for Dr. Quijano a libel rap from Lapanday, a member of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association.
Another tenuous claim was released – the lie this time came from Dr. Alan Dionisio.
Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) spokesperson Anthony Sasin said that Dr. Dionisio and his co-investigators undertook the research with strong bias against pesticide, used environmental samples of questionable integrity and fabricated illnesses among residents. This conclusion was arrived at after painstaking investigation which finally established Dr. Dionisio guilty beyond reasonable doubt
He said that PBGEA have already provided the top-level Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health (IACEH) a copy of their findings including the videotaped testimonies of witnesses, among them a barangay health worker, who said that they were left alone by one of the investigators, Engr. Ana Francisco Rivera, to gather water and soil samples.
Rivera, in an open forum June 3, 2009 during the People's Inquiry on said study said that she gathered water from a fishpond and from an irrigation canal. Mrs. Adela Amado, the barangay health worker, pinpointed the exact site where she took the water sample: in a mangrove pond some distance form the village where water from two newly-developed fishponds accumulate. On page 21 of the DOH study, said samples were cited as drinking water.
Mrs. Amado also testified that she gathered soil sample not from undisturbed soil but from a pile of sweepings which experts find grossly unscientific especially for a health risk assessment study. "Engr. Rivera just sat in the shade while were gathering these samples," said Mrs. Amado which made apparent that Engr. Rivera does not have personal knowledge of the integrity of the environmental samples.
It was also found out that Dionisio's team used an HPLC to analyze air samples of which four out of six samples proved negative for pesticide residue, one with an allowable level and one with residues slightly above the acceptable level. Experts say that these samples should have been confirmed by mass spectrometry since the samples were not actually sprayed with fungicides. A fungicide was also analyzed by a non-selective detector (electron capture) so this should have been confirmed also..
The very same haphazard sampling was done in Sitio Baliwaga where Mrs. Nara Ventura, a barangay health worker in the area since 1986, testified that a soil sample was taken in a mud alley to Purok Dagsa. Said purok was not mentioned in the study. Mrs. Ventura also said that majority of the residents whom they invited for a free check-up, free meals and hauled to the barangay center were from said Purok Dagsa where the households use fishpond water for laundry. This was also not cited in the study and buried under the sweeping statement that "the residents have dermatologic ailments probably due to pesticides used in a nearby mango plantation." Said mango plantation is actually a good two kilometers away from coastal Baliwaga.
The municipal health officer of Hagonoy, Dr. Patricio Hernane and of Sta. Cruz, Dr. Lorraine Ana Lindong, were both quoted a week ago saying that until now, they have not received the list of people that Dionisio claimed to be sick due to aerial spraying so that they can be attended to. Dionisio promised to give said list last June 3, 2009.
"It has been three years and several months since they made the study. How long will we wait?" asked Rowelito Tigao of Camocaan. He said that he and his daughter were among those who submitted to Dionisio's free check-up but until now was not informed whether he or his daughter is sick. He said he works in a banana plantation and is regularly exposed to pesticides.
A local health official who requested anonymity said that they now understand why Dionisio and company hid the study for three years, did not open it for peer review, allowed it to be used as a prop in a television show, held a very low-profile public discussion on said study mostly with militants and resist contrary findings, an attitude that is un-scientific. She disclosed that the first time they heard of the study was when she received a text message from Dr. Dionisio on the day that the pesticide issue will be aired on TV. Dionisio urged them to see the show so that they will be able to handle queries from the media.
"Our track record the past thirty years proved that low-dose fungicide poses no risk to people's health and environment. It is milder than table salt, coffee, nizoral shampoo or of the obnoxious and deleterious carbon monoxide which people from all walks of life are exposed daily or of the acetaldehydes, chloromethanes, dioxane, phosphates and alkylbenzene sulfonic acid in laundry soaps and detergents used daily by millions of households in the country" Sasin said.
"No amount of theatrics can cover-up their wrong premises, false postulates and falsified attestations," said Sasin as he expressed optimism that the DOH, despite Engr. Ana Francisco Rivera sitting as chairperson of IACEH's Secretariat, will still be able to appraise Dionisio's study with scientific objectivity and finally bring out the truth that whatever raw risk that they tried to establish against aerial spraying is purely anecdotal and non-existent.
The International Code of Medical Ethics provides that a doctor has the duty to use great caution in publishing discoveries.
This code of ethics sworn with the help of God during the oath-taking are not always carefully exercised and followed.
Dr Romeo Quijano released an unfounded allegation that Residents of Sitio Camocaan in Davao del Sur are “are sick and dying due to the aerial spraying of pesticide, said the residents.
Justice pays, for this has earned for Dr. Quijano a libel rap from Lapanday, a member of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association.
Another tenuous claim was released – the lie this time came from Dr. Alan Dionisio.
Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) spokesperson Anthony Sasin said that Dr. Dionisio and his co-investigators undertook the research with strong bias against pesticide, used environmental samples of questionable integrity and fabricated illnesses among residents. This conclusion was arrived at after painstaking investigation which finally established Dr. Dionisio guilty beyond reasonable doubt
He said that PBGEA have already provided the top-level Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health (IACEH) a copy of their findings including the videotaped testimonies of witnesses, among them a barangay health worker, who said that they were left alone by one of the investigators, Engr. Ana Francisco Rivera, to gather water and soil samples.
Rivera, in an open forum June 3, 2009 during the People's Inquiry on said study said that she gathered water from a fishpond and from an irrigation canal. Mrs. Adela Amado, the barangay health worker, pinpointed the exact site where she took the water sample: in a mangrove pond some distance form the village where water from two newly-developed fishponds accumulate. On page 21 of the DOH study, said samples were cited as drinking water.
Mrs. Amado also testified that she gathered soil sample not from undisturbed soil but from a pile of sweepings which experts find grossly unscientific especially for a health risk assessment study. "Engr. Rivera just sat in the shade while were gathering these samples," said Mrs. Amado which made apparent that Engr. Rivera does not have personal knowledge of the integrity of the environmental samples.
It was also found out that Dionisio's team used an HPLC to analyze air samples of which four out of six samples proved negative for pesticide residue, one with an allowable level and one with residues slightly above the acceptable level. Experts say that these samples should have been confirmed by mass spectrometry since the samples were not actually sprayed with fungicides. A fungicide was also analyzed by a non-selective detector (electron capture) so this should have been confirmed also..
The very same haphazard sampling was done in Sitio Baliwaga where Mrs. Nara Ventura, a barangay health worker in the area since 1986, testified that a soil sample was taken in a mud alley to Purok Dagsa. Said purok was not mentioned in the study. Mrs. Ventura also said that majority of the residents whom they invited for a free check-up, free meals and hauled to the barangay center were from said Purok Dagsa where the households use fishpond water for laundry. This was also not cited in the study and buried under the sweeping statement that "the residents have dermatologic ailments probably due to pesticides used in a nearby mango plantation." Said mango plantation is actually a good two kilometers away from coastal Baliwaga.
The municipal health officer of Hagonoy, Dr. Patricio Hernane and of Sta. Cruz, Dr. Lorraine Ana Lindong, were both quoted a week ago saying that until now, they have not received the list of people that Dionisio claimed to be sick due to aerial spraying so that they can be attended to. Dionisio promised to give said list last June 3, 2009.
"It has been three years and several months since they made the study. How long will we wait?" asked Rowelito Tigao of Camocaan. He said that he and his daughter were among those who submitted to Dionisio's free check-up but until now was not informed whether he or his daughter is sick. He said he works in a banana plantation and is regularly exposed to pesticides.
A local health official who requested anonymity said that they now understand why Dionisio and company hid the study for three years, did not open it for peer review, allowed it to be used as a prop in a television show, held a very low-profile public discussion on said study mostly with militants and resist contrary findings, an attitude that is un-scientific. She disclosed that the first time they heard of the study was when she received a text message from Dr. Dionisio on the day that the pesticide issue will be aired on TV. Dionisio urged them to see the show so that they will be able to handle queries from the media.
"Our track record the past thirty years proved that low-dose fungicide poses no risk to people's health and environment. It is milder than table salt, coffee, nizoral shampoo or of the obnoxious and deleterious carbon monoxide which people from all walks of life are exposed daily or of the acetaldehydes, chloromethanes, dioxane, phosphates and alkylbenzene sulfonic acid in laundry soaps and detergents used daily by millions of households in the country" Sasin said.
"No amount of theatrics can cover-up their wrong premises, false postulates and falsified attestations," said Sasin as he expressed optimism that the DOH, despite Engr. Ana Francisco Rivera sitting as chairperson of IACEH's Secretariat, will still be able to appraise Dionisio's study with scientific objectivity and finally bring out the truth that whatever raw risk that they tried to establish against aerial spraying is purely anecdotal and non-existent.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Justice for women and children - thanks to Ronnie
Battered women and children are now gaining justice and more importance in a traditionally patriarchal society with records of unfair execution of justice– thanks to DILG Secretary Ronnie Puno.
Secretary Puno called on victims of exploitation and abuse to seek help by going to the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Philippine National Police that have been established in every PNP municipal station in the country.
Last July, our DILG Secretary announced that all the regional offices of the PNP were requested to complete their Women and Children Protection Regional Centers within a month. And then from there, the DILG will go to provincial centers and then city centers.
“The chief of the PNP, Director General Jesus Verzosa and I have placed the establishment of the WCPDs on our priority list of projects for the PNP,” said Puno.
Puno said the PNP should ensure that its WCPDs are functioning in every municipality as “one-stop shops” for the investigation and treatment of victims of child abuse, violence against women and other similar crimes.
Headed by a woman general—Chief Supt. Yolanda Tanigue—the WCPD is directly involved in formulating relevant training programs for police personnel handling cases of women and children and supervises over the strict enforcement of laws and investigations to protect these sectors from all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
These centers and WCPDs will be headed by, and staffed with, female police officers, Puno said, to provide women and children a more comfortable and relaxed setting when seeking assistance from the police.
Unlike a typical police station, these women- and children-friendly centers will have a more relaxed, “home-like” ambiance, brightly colored walls and even temporary shelters for distraught women and kids.
Puno said the establishment of these Centers is not only in accordance with RA 9262, but also demonstrates the importance that the DILG and PNP have placed on family-related concerns and these institutions’ responsiveness to gender-sensitivity issues.
He said the Centers being set up at the regional levels will follow a program “that will promote and propagate both the consciousness and knowledge of what we need to do to protect our women and children.”
The Women and Children Protection Center in Camp Crame, which is headed by Tanigue has so far established 1,830 WCPDs nationwide staffed with 2,728 female police officers, of whom 1,951 have undergone training on gender sensitivity and the basic investigative skills in handling crimes against women and children.
Among the more prominent cases now being investigated by the WCPD is the complaint filed by the actress Yasmien Kurdi against actor Baron Geisler for acts of lasciviousness, sexual harassment and unjust vexation.
Battered women and children are now gaining justice and more importance in a traditionally patriarchal society with records of unfair execution of justice– thanks to DILG Secretary Ronnie Puno.
Secretary Puno called on victims of exploitation and abuse to seek help by going to the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Philippine National Police that have been established in every PNP municipal station in the country.
Last July, our DILG Secretary announced that all the regional offices of the PNP were requested to complete their Women and Children Protection Regional Centers within a month. And then from there, the DILG will go to provincial centers and then city centers.
“The chief of the PNP, Director General Jesus Verzosa and I have placed the establishment of the WCPDs on our priority list of projects for the PNP,” said Puno.
Puno said the PNP should ensure that its WCPDs are functioning in every municipality as “one-stop shops” for the investigation and treatment of victims of child abuse, violence against women and other similar crimes.
Headed by a woman general—Chief Supt. Yolanda Tanigue—the WCPD is directly involved in formulating relevant training programs for police personnel handling cases of women and children and supervises over the strict enforcement of laws and investigations to protect these sectors from all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
These centers and WCPDs will be headed by, and staffed with, female police officers, Puno said, to provide women and children a more comfortable and relaxed setting when seeking assistance from the police.
Unlike a typical police station, these women- and children-friendly centers will have a more relaxed, “home-like” ambiance, brightly colored walls and even temporary shelters for distraught women and kids.
Puno said the establishment of these Centers is not only in accordance with RA 9262, but also demonstrates the importance that the DILG and PNP have placed on family-related concerns and these institutions’ responsiveness to gender-sensitivity issues.
He said the Centers being set up at the regional levels will follow a program “that will promote and propagate both the consciousness and knowledge of what we need to do to protect our women and children.”
The Women and Children Protection Center in Camp Crame, which is headed by Tanigue has so far established 1,830 WCPDs nationwide staffed with 2,728 female police officers, of whom 1,951 have undergone training on gender sensitivity and the basic investigative skills in handling crimes against women and children.
Among the more prominent cases now being investigated by the WCPD is the complaint filed by the actress Yasmien Kurdi against actor Baron Geisler for acts of lasciviousness, sexual harassment and unjust vexation.
Technologically-proficient for archipelagic Philippines
The 7,107 island in the Philippines bring hurdles for local government unit officials to communicate and convene with high officials and discuss ways to move our country forward.
Given this situation, we need government leaders, at least the Philippine President, to be tech savvy so he can call together the local officials, discuss problems, solutions, plans and local government status.
Who among our aspiring leaders are proven technologically-adroit?
DILG secretary Ronnie Puno. We have learned that the secretary was supposed to go to Baguio City recently to attend a congress of the Cavite chapter of the Liga ng mga Barangay. However, a development in the Mindanao insurgency problem had required him to stay put in Manila, hence prompting him to call off his Baguio City engagement.
But this never became a letdown for the congress participants. Arrangements were made and Ronnie was able to deliver his message to the barangay officials through a teleconference via the Internet (from his office in Camp Crame).
Ronnie’s technological adeptness paved the way for 1.2 million barangay officials to soon enroll themselves and their dependents to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) with sharing arrangements on the payment for premiums through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DILG and the barangay city and municipal officials.
Truly this is a milestone. This could not have happened had Ronnie been inept on the latest technologies. We need a President like him - someone who can connect with the archipelago without necessarily travelling; someone who can bridge gaps without necessarily being physically present. This does not only solve issues on hectic schedules but more importantly, this lessens government spending on airfares, stipends, allowances and a lot more travel expenses.
Who among our officials are like Ronnie – technologically-proficient for archipelagic Philippines?
The 7,107 island in the Philippines bring hurdles for local government unit officials to communicate and convene with high officials and discuss ways to move our country forward.
Given this situation, we need government leaders, at least the Philippine President, to be tech savvy so he can call together the local officials, discuss problems, solutions, plans and local government status.
Who among our aspiring leaders are proven technologically-adroit?
DILG secretary Ronnie Puno. We have learned that the secretary was supposed to go to Baguio City recently to attend a congress of the Cavite chapter of the Liga ng mga Barangay. However, a development in the Mindanao insurgency problem had required him to stay put in Manila, hence prompting him to call off his Baguio City engagement.
But this never became a letdown for the congress participants. Arrangements were made and Ronnie was able to deliver his message to the barangay officials through a teleconference via the Internet (from his office in Camp Crame).
Ronnie’s technological adeptness paved the way for 1.2 million barangay officials to soon enroll themselves and their dependents to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) with sharing arrangements on the payment for premiums through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DILG and the barangay city and municipal officials.
Truly this is a milestone. This could not have happened had Ronnie been inept on the latest technologies. We need a President like him - someone who can connect with the archipelago without necessarily travelling; someone who can bridge gaps without necessarily being physically present. This does not only solve issues on hectic schedules but more importantly, this lessens government spending on airfares, stipends, allowances and a lot more travel expenses.
Who among our officials are like Ronnie – technologically-proficient for archipelagic Philippines?
Filipinos’ miracle
We’re seeing a miracle ounce by ounce.
First, far from his duties as the DILG Secretary, Ronnie Puno entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Liga ng mga Barangay and the leagues of provinces, cities and municipalities to enroll 1.2 million barangay officials and their dependents to Philhealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation).
Beneficiaries of the DILG project are barangay officials in city or municipal barangays that have annual Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) shares of less than P1 million each.
Projects which are fully-shouldered by aspiring political leaders are flooding now due to circumstance of time. With Ronnie, this is not the case. Amidst all circumstances, the DILG man implements development projects in partnership with the beneficiary local government unit. For Ronnie, projects are not his personal projects but projects of the Philippine national and local governments. His undertakings are purely for development and are not tinted by any political color. With the Philhealth project, the premiums shall be paid through a sharing agreement between the barangays and municipalities as stipulated in the MOU.
The annual premium per beneficiary is P1,200. Under this DILG project, PhilHealth will shell out P1,080 while the local government unit (LGU) concerned will pay for the balance of P120 in 4th to 6th class municipalities. In 1st to 3rd class cities and municipalities, the sharing will be 50-50, with the LGUs and PhilHealth paying P600 each per beneficiary.
Second, Ronnie reiterates his commitment to lobby to Congress to set aside funds in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) or national budget to finance anew benefits for barangay officials as provided under the Local Government Code.
Historically, the problem with laws Congress pass is that many of these are not being implemented fully in the absence of funding support. In the case of the Local Government Code that was passed in the early 1990s, there is a provision on the benefits due barangay officials, such as christmas bonuses, death and medical benefits, and educational scholarships for them and their legitimate children in state universities and colleges (SUCs). However, many of these benefits are not being enjoyed by barangay officials because of the usual budgetary constraints.
During his first stint as DILG secretary under the Erap Estrada administration, the DILG was able to oversee in 1999 and 2000 the grant of such benefits because of an existing funding program in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) or national budget. But this funding program disappeared starting in 2003, when Ronnie was no longer DILG secretary.
Even the provision of free college scholarships has been honored more in the breach. So one of the things Ronnie did was to get in touch with Chairman Emmanuel Angeles of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and discuss this problem. The result was that Angeles eventually issued a memorandum reminding SUCs of their mandate to provide free college education to barangay officials or their legitimate dependents.
Kudos to Ronnie and the DILG for taking the cudgels for barangays officials and taking concrete steps for them to avail of benefits that are due them under our laws. With Ronnie, we are experiencing a miracle step by step. In essence, he is the miracle we all need.
We’re seeing a miracle ounce by ounce.
First, far from his duties as the DILG Secretary, Ronnie Puno entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Liga ng mga Barangay and the leagues of provinces, cities and municipalities to enroll 1.2 million barangay officials and their dependents to Philhealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation).
Beneficiaries of the DILG project are barangay officials in city or municipal barangays that have annual Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) shares of less than P1 million each.
Projects which are fully-shouldered by aspiring political leaders are flooding now due to circumstance of time. With Ronnie, this is not the case. Amidst all circumstances, the DILG man implements development projects in partnership with the beneficiary local government unit. For Ronnie, projects are not his personal projects but projects of the Philippine national and local governments. His undertakings are purely for development and are not tinted by any political color. With the Philhealth project, the premiums shall be paid through a sharing agreement between the barangays and municipalities as stipulated in the MOU.
The annual premium per beneficiary is P1,200. Under this DILG project, PhilHealth will shell out P1,080 while the local government unit (LGU) concerned will pay for the balance of P120 in 4th to 6th class municipalities. In 1st to 3rd class cities and municipalities, the sharing will be 50-50, with the LGUs and PhilHealth paying P600 each per beneficiary.
Second, Ronnie reiterates his commitment to lobby to Congress to set aside funds in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) or national budget to finance anew benefits for barangay officials as provided under the Local Government Code.
Historically, the problem with laws Congress pass is that many of these are not being implemented fully in the absence of funding support. In the case of the Local Government Code that was passed in the early 1990s, there is a provision on the benefits due barangay officials, such as christmas bonuses, death and medical benefits, and educational scholarships for them and their legitimate children in state universities and colleges (SUCs). However, many of these benefits are not being enjoyed by barangay officials because of the usual budgetary constraints.
During his first stint as DILG secretary under the Erap Estrada administration, the DILG was able to oversee in 1999 and 2000 the grant of such benefits because of an existing funding program in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) or national budget. But this funding program disappeared starting in 2003, when Ronnie was no longer DILG secretary.
Even the provision of free college scholarships has been honored more in the breach. So one of the things Ronnie did was to get in touch with Chairman Emmanuel Angeles of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and discuss this problem. The result was that Angeles eventually issued a memorandum reminding SUCs of their mandate to provide free college education to barangay officials or their legitimate dependents.
Kudos to Ronnie and the DILG for taking the cudgels for barangays officials and taking concrete steps for them to avail of benefits that are due them under our laws. With Ronnie, we are experiencing a miracle step by step. In essence, he is the miracle we all need.
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